Watch Captain Carey, U.S.A.

Captain Carey, U.S.A. is a 1949 drama film that follows Alan Ladd as the eponymous Captain Webster Carey, a former spy during World War II. The movie takes place after the end of the war, and finds Carey working for the American intelligence services in Europe. However, when one of Carey's closest friends is killed by the same people he is trying to track down, he finds himself deeply conflicted and questioning his role in the post-war era. In the film, Carey is tasked with investigating a black market ring operating in the Italian city of Trieste. With the help of a local contact, Zama Marou, played by Francis Lederer, Carey sets out to infiltrate the group and gather intelligence. Along the way, he also meets and falls in love with an American Red Cross worker named Elaine Alden, played by Wanda Hendrix. As Carey delves deeper into the black market operation, he discovers that the leaders of the group are former Nazi agents who are using their illicit activities to fund a guerrilla campaign against the Allied occupation forces. Carey must confront his own past as a spy and decide where his loyalties lie as he works to bring the group to justice. The film is notable for its noirish tone, with many scenes set in shadowy alleyways and dimly lit apartments. The cinematography is excellent throughout, with the Italian locations adding an extra layer of atmosphere to the proceedings. The film also features a memorable score by Victor Young. Alan Ladd delivers a fine performance as Captain Carey, imbuing the character with a sense of world-weariness and moral ambiguity. Wanda Hendrix is also impressive as Elaine, bringing a toughness and independence to the role that was unusual for female characters of the time. However, it is Francis Lederer who steals the show as the enigmatic Zama Marou. Lederer's portrayal of the character is both charming and unsettling, and his scenes with Ladd crackle with tension. Overall, Captain Carey, U.S.A. is a taut and engaging thriller that deserves to be better known. It is a testament to the talents of its cast and crew that the film remains entertaining and suspenseful even after more than seventy years. Fans of film noir and espionage dramas will definitely want to check it out.