OPEN SECRET

US, 1948, 68 minutes, Black and white.
John Ireland, Jane Randolph, Sheldon Leonard, Roman Bohnen, George Tyne, Arthur O' Connell.
Directed by John Reinhardt.

This is an interesting drama, not very well known. It is a supporting feature, short running time. However, it was released at the same time as the higher profile Gentlemen’s Agreement, a film about anti-Semitism which won the Oscar for best film and director for Elia Kazan. The thriller, Crossfire, was also released at this time.

It is surprising in retrospect to see the hostility towards the Jews in a small American town after the war, denial of the concentration camps, wanting the Jews to be out of the town, vocalised by ordinary mothers, and the gangs of boys breaking windows of Jewish shops.

A decorated soldier infiltrates the group, takes photos and intends to expose them but is lured to his death. His friend and his new wife, John Ireland and Jane Randolph, come to visit, are photographers themselves, get caught up in the prejudice, especially getting their photos developed by the Jewish store owner.

In the meantime, locals meet at a bar, under the leadership of Arthur O’ Connell (later a folksy character actor in so many films). The group is vicious, stooping to violence, ignorant vigilantes. Sheldon Leonard portrays the sympathetic detective in the town.

This leads to a melodramatic confrontation but also an expose of this anti-Semitic prejudice.

1. Small drama about anti-Semitic prejudice in the US? In the postwar period? Racism and bigotry? Vigilante activity?

2. The small town setting, the streets, shops, bars, homes? Authentic feel of the period? The musical score?

3. The title? Anti- Semitic prejudice? Victims? Perpetrators?, Knowledge?

4. The focus on Ed, his links with the group, getting out, having taken the photos, intending to expose the prejudice? At home, his landlady, the phone calls, the meetings? The murder?

5. Paul and Nancy, newlywed, coming to visit, the war memories? Ed and the welcome, his absence? Suspicions? The two as photographers? Taking the local kids’ photos? The development, Harry Strauss’s shop? The discovery of prejudice against him? The mother in the street, the son, wanting the Jews away?

6. The group in the bar, Carter and his leading behind-the-scenes, smooth but sinister? The other members of the group, their jobs? Drinking? The violence? Hit run deaths?

7. The landlady, the welcome, helping Nancy?

8. Paul, continuing his investigations? Going to the bar, talking? Directions of the barman, the people in the hotel?

9. Collecting the photos, the store assistant, his trying to stop the photos, his being led by the group, going to the house? Going to the bar, explaining the situation?

10. Nancy, the dangers in the house, the landlady? The intrusions?

11. Paul, courage, confronting the men, his being tied up?

12. Harry Strauss, calling the police? The role of the detective, the discussions with Paul, wanting to expose the group?

13. Paul, the final confrontation, the rescue? Strauss and his standing by his shop?

14. Prejudice in the US at the time – the period of the Oscar-winning Gentlemen’s Agreement, and Crossfire?