13 Rue Madeleine (1947)

In the great tradition of calling a spade a spade and not a bloody shovel, let me say up front that this so-called classic movie is actually pretty boring.  Produced by Louis de Rochemont who specialised in quasi-documentary fiction, it extols the exploits of the O.S.S. in France during the war and focuses on their training under one James Cagney.  Now he is always a delight even in unlikely roles, but there is just not enough of him on screen.  The main focus is in routing out the Nazi spy in their midst, but there is no real suspense here since it is made obvious from nearly square one who the baddie is.  Directed by Henry Hathaway in plodding mode, it is finally Cagney himself who must make the ultimate sacrifice and he goes out with a smile on his lips.  Not exactly rousing stuff.  Blink and you'll miss early appearances from E.G. Marshall, Karl Malden and Red Buttons.  Please don't say "Who?"