This film was made during World War II and it's an excellent example of positive propaganda. The purpose was not just to entertain but solidify the American public behind the war effort. Instead of the usual war films or escapism, the hero of this story is a regular guy---just like those in the audience--and it shows how even people on the home front can be important to the war effort.
Robert Young plays a defense plant worker who is the crew chief responsible to assembling bombers. However, after being interviewed by federal authorities, he's given a super-top secret job installing bomb sights. The American bomb sights were one of the biggest secrets of the war, as planes were able to use this simple computing device to make much more accurate bombing runs.
Soon after beginning this job, Young is kidnapped by enemy agents and is beaten rather brutally in order to get him to talk. However, Young is a true hero and not only refuses, but uses his brain in order to take in every detail and plan his escape. When he does ultimately get away, his incredible mind for details and courage leads to the apprehension of the gang.
While the film at first seemed a tad hokey, over the course of the film it became obvious that this was an extremely well written and exciting film. Plus, Robert Young did an excellent job in the lead role. Even today, over sixty years later, this is still a great suspense film and great curio to give us insight into what it was like to live at the time in the US.
Robert Young plays a defense plant worker who is the crew chief responsible to assembling bombers. However, after being interviewed by federal authorities, he's given a super-top secret job installing bomb sights. The American bomb sights were one of the biggest secrets of the war, as planes were able to use this simple computing device to make much more accurate bombing runs.
Soon after beginning this job, Young is kidnapped by enemy agents and is beaten rather brutally in order to get him to talk. However, Young is a true hero and not only refuses, but uses his brain in order to take in every detail and plan his escape. When he does ultimately get away, his incredible mind for details and courage leads to the apprehension of the gang.
While the film at first seemed a tad hokey, over the course of the film it became obvious that this was an extremely well written and exciting film. Plus, Robert Young did an excellent job in the lead role. Even today, over sixty years later, this is still a great suspense film and great curio to give us insight into what it was like to live at the time in the US.