The Spy in Black - A 1939 Film Directed by William Powell and Written by Emeric Pressburger- Their First Collaboration - Starring Valerie Hobson

 The Spy in Black - A 1939 Film Directed by William Powell and Written by Emeric Pressburger- Their First Collaboration - Starring Valerie Hobson - Run Time 91 Minutes 

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The Spy in Black is based on the 1917 novel of the same name by Joseph Storer Clouston. The film stars Conrad Veidt, Valerie Hobson, and Sebastian Shaw.

The film is set during World War I and tells the story of Captain Ernst Hardt (Veidt), a German U-boat commander who is sent to the Orkney Islands to gather intelligence on the British fleet. He meets with two double agents, Ashington (Shaw) and his wife, Mary (Hobson), who provide him with false information. Hardt is eventually captured by the British and forced to reveal his true mission.

The Spy in Black was a critical and commercial success, and it is now considered to be one of the finest British films of the pre-war era. It is praised for its suspenseful plot, its atmospheric cinematography, and its strong performances.

The film was released in the United States under the title U-Boat 29. It was not as successful in the US as it was in the UK, but it has since become a cult classic.

The Spy in Black is an important film in the history of British cinema. It is a well-made and suspenseful thriller that is also notable for its stylish visuals and its exploration of the theme of deception in wartime.

"Valerie Hobson (14 April 1917 – 13 November 1998) was a British actress whose film career spanned the 1930s to the early 1950s. She was best known for her roles in films such as Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Great Expectations (1946), and Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949. In 

1954, Hobson married John Profumo, a British government minister. They had one son together, David. Profumo's career was ended in disgrace in 1963 when it was revealed that he had lied to the House of Commons about an affair he had had with Christine Keeler, a 19-year-old showgirl. Hobson stood by Profumo throughout the scandal, and they remained married until her death in 1998.  

After the Profumo scandal, Hobson retired from acting and devoted herself to her family and to charity work. She was a tireless supporter of Toynbee Hall, a settlement house in the East End of London, and she worked closely with her husband to raise funds for the organization.

Hobson was a complex and fascinating woman. She was a successful actress, a devoted wife and mother, and a tireless philanthropist. She was also a victim of circumstance, and her life was forever changed by the Profumo scandal. However, she never lost her dignity or her sense of humor, and she remained a popular and respected figure until her death" from Bard

I greatly enjoyed The Spy in Black