- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.
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Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Helen Hayes | ... |
Lucille Jefferson
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| Van Heflin | ... |
Stedman
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| Dean Jagger | ... |
Dan Jefferson
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| Robert Walker | ... |
John Jefferson
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| Minor Watson | ... |
Dr. Carver
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| Frank McHugh | ... |
Father O'Dowd
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| Richard Jaeckel | ... |
Chuck Jefferson
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| James Young | ... |
Ben Jefferson
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Lee Aaker | ... |
Boy (scenesDeleted)
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| David Bond | ... |
College Professor (scenesDeleted)
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| Gail Bonney | ... |
Jail Matron (scenesDeleted)
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| Russ Conway | ... |
FBI Agent (scenesDeleted)
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| Bill McLean | ... |
Parcel Post Man (scenesDeleted)
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| Frances Morris | ... |
Secretary (scenesDeleted)
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| Erskine Sanford | ... |
Professor (scenesDeleted)
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| Irene Winston | ... |
Ruth Carlin (scenesDeleted)
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| Jimmie Dundee | ... |
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
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| Douglas Evans | ... |
Government Employee (uncredited)
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| Nancy Hale | ... |
Nurse (uncredited)
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| Sam Harris | ... |
Professor at Graduation Ceremony (uncredited)
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| Todd Karns | ... |
Bedford (uncredited)
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| Leo McCarey | ... |
John Jefferson (uncredited) (voice)
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Lee Miller | ... |
Policeman at Shooting Scene (uncredited)
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| David Newell | ... |
FBI Agent (uncredited)
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Vera Stokes | ... |
Secretary (uncredited)
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Fred Sweeney | ... |
Cleaner (uncredited)
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Margaret Wells | ... |
Nurse (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Leo McCarey | ||
Written by
| Myles Connolly | ... | () |
| John Lee Mahin | ... | (adaptation) |
| Leo McCarey | ... | (screenplay) |
| Leo McCarey | ... | (story) |
Produced by
| Leo McCarey | ... | producer |
Music by
| Robert Emmett Dolan | ||
Cinematography by
| Harry Stradling Sr. | ... | director of photography (as Harry Stradling) |
Editing by
| Marvin Coil | ||
Art Direction by
| William Flannery | ||
| Hal Pereira | ||
Set Decoration by
| Sam Comer | ||
| Emile Kuri | ||
Costume Design by
| Edith Head | ||
Makeup Department
| Wally Westmore | ... | makeup supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Gil Mandelik | ... | associate director (uncredited) |
| Louis Nicoletti | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Gene Lauritzen | ... | construction coordinator (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Gene Garvin | ... | sound recordist |
| Gene Merritt | ... | sound recordist |
Visual Effects by
| Farciot Edouart | ... | process photography |
| Gordon Jennings | ... | special photographic effects |
| Loyal Griggs | ... | transparencies (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Joan Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Robert Russell Bennett | ... | orchestrator |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1952) (United States) (theatrical) (as A Paramount Release)
- Paramount British Pictures (1953) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Film AB Paramount (1953) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1973) (United States) (tv) (network premiere)
- Olive Films (2011) (Canada) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Olive Films (2011) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
John Jefferson comes home from a trip overseas a strangely changed man. His already nervous wreck of a mother is distraught by the way he seems to be feigning feelings for her and his father that he no longer has. Plus, his odd refusal to accompany the family to church on Sunday not only disturbs her but their priest as well. He also seems to be making fun of and smirking at his father's jubilant expressions of patriotism. His poor mother cannot imagine what could have caused such a change in her favorite son, who used to be loving and church-going and now seems remote from both. He also gets strange calls and goes off to strange "meetings" with no explanation. He is also being watched by an FBI agent who comes to the home and greatly disturbs John's mother with his odd questions about him. Eventually the horrible truth comes out: John is a Communist spy! No wonder he has no real feelings for his family and shuns the church he once loved!During a high-speed chase, John is killed, but he had previously recorded an address to the graduating class of his alma mater, warning them of the temptations of Communist recruiters, which his mother and father listen to fondly as the leave the graduation, hoping that the students he posthumously addressed will take heed of his warning. Written by Michael Wisper |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | You'll be shocked by John's scandalous secret ! See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Parts of the film were rewritten after actor Robert Walker (John Jefferson) died during production. Several scenes use a double shot from behind, and others recycle footage of Walker from Strangers on a Train (1951). The final scene, where a recording of John delivers an anti-communist speech, is lit with a halo around the tape-recorder. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited from Strangers on a Train (1951). See more » |
| Quotes |
Dan Jefferson:
John! John Jefferson: Oh, Father, let's not go into it any more. Dan Jefferson: Now I've, I've got another subject for you. Dan Jefferson: As your father, you and I are going to have a talk, a good talk, away from your Mother. And it's about you, son. John Jefferson: Well, if you'd enjoy it, Father... Dan Jefferson: Well, I don't know whether you will. But as I told you, we're alert. And we ARE alert. John Jefferson: You just said that. Dan Jefferson: Yes, and you sound to me like, like one of those guys that we should be alert about. John Jefferson: One of those guys? Dan Jefferson: I just said that you sounded like one, I didn't say that you... 'cos if thought that you really were, you know, I'd take you out in the backyard and I'd give it you, both barrels. John Jefferson: No trial, huh? Dan Jefferson: Nah, you're off on the wrong slant. And you know what I'm talking about. Cos as your father, I want to know where you're headed. John Jefferson: Well, I can help you there. I'm headed for the bathroom, wash my hands and clean up for dinner. See more » |