| Joe Smith, American | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Film Poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Thorpe |
| Written by | Allen Rivkin |
| Based on | story by Paul Gallico |
| Produced by | Jack Chertok |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Charles Lawton Jr. |
| Edited by | Elmo Veron |
| Music by | Daniele Amfitheatrof (uncredited) |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Lowes, Inc. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 63 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $236,000[1] |
| Box office | $708,000[1] |
Joe Smith, American is a 1942 American spy film directed by Richard Thorpe and stars Robert Young and Marsha Hunt.[2] The film, loosely based on the story of Herman W. Lang, and the theft of plans of a top-secret bombsight, is the account of a worker at an aviation factory who is kidnapped by enemy spies. The opening credits contained the following written prologue: "This story is about a man who defended his country. His name is Joe Smith. He is an American. This picture is a tribute to all Joe Smiths."[3]
Joe Smith, American was the first in a series of B films made at MGM under the supervision of Dore Schary who also wrote the initial treatment, based on "his own yarn".[3] His story was later adapted to a postwar setting and new characters to become The Big Operator (1959).[4]
- ^ a b "The Eddie Mannix Ledger". Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study, Los Angeles.
- ^ Nixon, Rob. "Articles: 'Joe Smith American'." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved: September 21, 2016.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Noteswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Eames 1982, p. 294.