The preposterous WWII drama Betrayed was the last film star Clark Gable made for MGM under his long contract, which ended 1954.
The film, which is defined by a ridiculous plot, was directed by Gottfried Reinhardt from a script by Ronald Millar and George Froeschel, a fictionalized tale of turncoat Dutch resistance leader Christiaan Lindeman, aka “King Kong.”
Betrayed was the fourth and final movie in which Gable played opposite Turner, and their third pairing set during WWII. As in their previous teamings, there is strong chemistry between the two handsome stars.
An espionage thriller set in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during WWII, Betrayed was meant as a tribute to the Dutch resistance movement.
Gable lays Dutch intelligence agent Pieter Deventer, who is ordered to keep an eye on suspected collaborator Fran Seelers (Lana Turner in a role originally assigned to Ava Gardner).
Deventer and Seelers join the Dutch underground, making contact with resistance leader, “The Scarf” (Victor Mature).
As ‘Carla Van Oven’, Seelers’ is tasked with using her charms to gain the confidence of admiring Nazi officers. However, when some underground operatives are shot, Deventer’s suspicions of Seelers grow stronger, though he is attracted to her.
The revelation of the collaborator’s identity will determine whether the couple can be enemies or lovers.
The narration, which feels like a later decision in the production process, is meant to lend greater authenticity and gravity to what is essentially a Hollywood romantic melodrama.
The cinematography was by Freddie Young, who shot the film on location in the Netherlands and England.
Diana Coupland offered Turner’s voice in the song, “Johnny Come Home.”
Despite major shortcomings, the film was a box-office hit, reaffirming star status of both Gable and Turner.
Cast
Clark Gable as Colonel Pieter Devente
Lana Turner as Carla Van Ove
Victor Mature as “The Scarf”
Louis Calhern as General Ten Eyc
O.E. Hasse as Colonel Helmuth Dietric
Wilfrid Hyde-White as General Charles Larraby
