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Actors: Spencer Tracy, Ketti Gallian, Leslie Fenton, Robert Loraine, Sig Ruman
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Marie Gallante |
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Marie Gallante (Ketti Gallian) is telegraph delivery girl in the heart of France. Her friendly attitude makes her very popular and she is happily rolling through life. Her friendliness eventually lands her in some trouble as she delivers a telegram to a wayfaring sea captain. He talks her into coming aboard his ship and she is accidentally kidnapped. Fearing charges, the captain conspires with his fist mate to put her ashore in the Yucatan. Marie only speaks French but somehow she makes her way to the Panama Canal. There she becomes a cabaret singer and plans to earn money for passage back home. Her plans didn't include becoming embroiled in a plot of espionage but that is exactly what happens.
Marie's first performance is an instant success as she piques the interests of several gentlemen present. Tapia (Helen Morgan), one of the other singers, enters her dressing room and tells her she has an invitation for drinks. Marie at first refuses because it is inappropriate in her country. She finally agrees as the lady explains she should order “the special' which is orange juice and water. If she does this, she will earn four cents per drink from the bartender. She can hardly the extra cash to save for a ticket.
As she sits down, she is introduced to three gentlemen at the table. All the men are very different in nature but no less interested in Marie. Dr. Crawbett (Spencer Tracy) is an American entomologist studying tropical diseases. Mr. Tenoki (Leslie Fenton) is a Japanese shop owner and Ratcliff (Robert Loraine) is a British diplomat. The competition is furthered by Mr. Brogard (Sig Ruman), who runs a French imports shop. Marie is not affected by the men's pursuit and proceeds to drink several "specials".
As time goes by, the hopeful suitors continue to visit Marie often. Each has a different modus operandi and she enjoys the attentions of all with no commitments. This is where her involvement leads her to be suspect in crime. None of the men are really who they are pretending to be. Mr. Crawbett is called into the American Consulate for questioning. The truth comes out he is really an undercover secret agent sent to investigate a potential plot of sabotage. There he finds his old pal Ratcliff who has been on the trail of the saboteur known as Ryner. It appears that Dr. Crawbett and Ratcliff are on the same mission. Their two prime suspects are Brogard and Tenoki who are possibly working together. They are not sure exactly what is planned but they know a woman is usually used as a go between. This is where Marie fits in. The consulate thinks she is a spy and has her investigated. Crawbett, who is letting his personal feelings get involved stands up for her and tells them to check out her story. When word from France comes back, she has been reported as a stowaway. They decide not to deport her but to let the scenario play out in hopes that she will lead them to Ryner. Crawbett is told to stick close and keep a watchful eye on the lady in question.
Little by little Crawbett puts the pieces together as he gathers information from the unsuspecting Marie. Brogard has told her that he will help her get the money to go home but she suspects that his price is too high. He tells her that American Navy ships are coming in and he wants her to help him sell good to these tourist sailors. Marie is requested to ask more specifics about how long the fleet will be in town. This way, Brogard knows how much stock to order. Marie is relieved by this request because she was thinking he wanted something a little more personal in nature. Tenoki has sent his servant to give Marie a message and the servant ends up murdered. The Japanese business man asks Marie to visit in the wee hours of the night. She enters the back room of his shop and he proceeds to warn her about dabbling in things she should not be involved in. He also speaks of revenge and tells her to check the old French dredges. Of course she has no idea what he is talking about and quickly leaves. Crawbett finally confronts the girl and tells her she is in great danger. She is so naive that she does not believe anything can be going on. She becomes confused and does not know who to trust.
Crawbett and Ratcliff are curious about the bit of information regarding the dredges and decide to check it out. They examine the spot where the servant was killed and find cases of dynamite. With this, the motives become clear. Ryner wants to sink the American Naval fleet as they pass through the canal. A few important pieces to the puzzle remain. Which imposter is actually Ryner? Could it be Tenoki or is it Brogard? Marie could care less as she just wants to get home. Now that she has the money, will she run like the guilty?
--Talea, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Marie Gallante |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Time/Era of Movie:
- 1930's-1950's
Spying & Terrorists
Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:
- finding a spy/saboteur
Romance
Yes
The terrorist enemy is...
- terrorist group
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- dancer
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- blonde
Hair style
- short/butch/lez (woman)
Body type
- skinny (woman)
Events of movie makes character more...
- aggressive
Ethnicity/Nationality
- French
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard wavy
Body type
- average build (man)
How much in movie?
- 90%-100%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
- emotionally unstable
- obsessed
- deluded
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 60%
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- France
The Americas (not US):
Yes
The Americas:
- Central
Misc setting
- resort/hotel
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- non-gory references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- concerned
How much use of techno gadgets?
- 1 (None)
Kind of violence:
- guns
Check here if B&W
Yes
Any profanity?
- None
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Talea
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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