GManfred I didn't read the book but this must one of Graham Greene's weaker novels. Either that or the Director made a hash out of it, because there is simply too much plot here to make a coherent story. There are several subplots at work that detract from the main storyline - which, truth be told, doesn't seem that interesting or compelling to start with. Not much chemistry between the two principals, and Bacall's is the weakest performance in the picture. There are lots of notable character actors who try their best; Peter Lorre, Victor Francen and Katina Paxinou, to name a few. Ultimately, I felt the plot was obscured and Charles Boyer was not a strong presence. I rated it on potential and on the sterling cast.

sol ***SPOILERS*** Long and monotonous spy drama set in pre-WWII 1937 England involving Spanish loyalist and former concert pianist Luis Devard, Charles Boyer, trying to prevent a massive sale of coal from the British Benditch Mining Company to Franco's Fascist Regime in Spain.Devard is obviously not that sharp at his job as an undercover agent for the Spanish Loyalist in him screwing up his mission at every turn in the movie. It's the sexy and husky voiced Rose Cullen, Lauren Bacall, who ends up pulling Devard's chestnuts out of fire for him. Rose in the end not only saves Devard's neck but by doing that has the miners at the Benditch Mines refuse to go back to work, they were laid off at the time, in sympathy to Devard noble cause.Devard himself is doubled crossed by his London compatriots in the loyalist movement with them switching sides on him without his knowing about it. Why they did this is not explained in the movie leaving you confused to what was the reason for their perfidy to the loyalist cause? Was it money sex power or just plain boredom, in working with a bumbling stiff like Devard, that made them do it?Devard adds to his already gross incompetence in the movie in him not being able hold on to an important letter of recommendation-the butler stole it-that cause him to blow the deal with Benditch Mining to buy them out and keep Franco's boys from getting their coal. The coal is desperately needed by the Franco Fascists to manufacture war material in the war against the Spanish Loyalists in Spain.Where I feel that Devard really screwed up royally is in him outing pretty and loyal, to him, Else, Wanda Hendrix, who works at the safe house or hotel where he's staying at in London. The naive and brainless jerk tells Else's boss Mrs. Melandez, Katina Paxinou, who happens to be a loyalist turncoat that he's getting Else's out of her dive by getting her a job somewhere else. This idiotic and loosed lipped statement by a boastful Devard to the psychotic and murderous Mrs. Melandez, has her later confront Else in her room and push her out the window to her death!Despite him being a total flop as a confidential agent Devard somehow manages to pull it off in both getting the Spanish Fascist's cut out of the coal contract and at the same time getting out of England before the police get their hands on him for the murder, which he didn't commit, of Else.Denvard who's anything but competent in what he does still ends up getting the girl, Rose Cullen, and stiffing the bad guys at the same time. As for Rose I found it incomprehensible that a high class and intelligent woman like herself would as much as give this bumbling fool of an undercover agent a second look! Much less not only fall in love with the buffoon but even go so far as to risk her life for him!P.S check out both Peter Lorre and Dan Seymour in the film in what seems to be comic relief parts. Lorre is the international language teacher, as well as loyalist turncoat, Mr. Contreras who's very very weak heart wasn't exactly up to the job his boss Mrs. Melandez assigned him to. As for Dan Seymour as the nosy body and peeping Tom Mr. Muckerji he's the person who just happens to sees more of what's going on in the movie then the entire cast put together!

blanche-2 Charles Boyer is supposed to be Spanish, and he's come to London to buy coal in "Confidential Agent," a 1945 film also starring Lauren Bacall, Katina Paxinou, Peter Lorre, Dan Seymour, and Wanda Hendrix. Boyer is Luis Denard, and everyone is out to stop him except Bacall. His papers are stolen, he's accused of murder but he's determined to get coal for his people so that they can fight the Fascists.This film has its good and not so good points. It rates high for atmosphere and for suspense, and it is highly entertaining. Bacall is incredibly beautiful, Boyer is passionate, Paxinou is mean, Lorre is slimy, Hendrix appropriately pathetic, and Seymour outrageously wonderful.The not so good points: Bacall is supposed to be English, and Boyer Spanish. Uh, no. Boyer is terrific in his role even with the wrong accent, but Bacall is 100% American, not of the British upper class. The two have no chemistry. Conclusion: Bacall is somewhat miscast. Her acting isn't up to snuff either; she's better in other films. But she's an astonishing looking woman, and much can be forgiven.Paxinou is nearly over the top and hateful. Dan Seymour almost steals the entire film as a hotel guest who studies human nature. It's a great part and his performance is perfect, while some of the direction of the other actors isn't as good. This was definitely a case of no small parts, only small actors. Seymour wasn't a small actor.Definitely worth seeing even with its flaws.

Pamsanalyst but it's worth watching for Boyer, Lorre and Paxinou. Greene's entertainments that were filmed during the war either required transplanting to American shores, as in This Gun for Hire, or the use of American actors in roles where they did not fit. Bacall fits that part here. I kept waiting for her to whistle and bring Bogie to life; her tone of voice is simply all wrong for an upper class Englishwoman. But listen to the dialogue! No, people don't talk that way except in books, but Greene was sending a message about an England that needed to wake up to the dangers of the world. One other positive note: Greene's range of characters were kept whole. While Mr. Mukerjee resembled more a Brahamin, at least his nationality was kept, and his final conversation with Paxinou is priceless.