Dana Andrews & George Sanders in "Assignment - Paris!" (1952)

During the 1950s, the Cold War is pitting the USA and its allies against the USSR and its satellites. One such Soviet satellite nation, Hungary, arrests an American named Anderson, and charges him with spying. Communist Hungary is putting on a show trial which is broadcast internationally, to prove the hostile aims of aggressive American Imperialists. The heavily censored news from the trial in Budapest comes down the wire to the Paris office of the New York Herald-Tribune where editor-in-chief Nicholas Strang (George Sanders) anxiously awaits more details from his Budapest correspondent, Barker (Joseph Forte).
Strang assigns French journalist Jeanne Moray (Marta Toren), and the Paris-based New York Herald Tribune's top reporter, American Jimmy Race (Dana Andrews), to interview the Hungarian ambassador in Paris.
Unbeknownst to them, Hungarian agents clandestinely follow Jeanne and Race to the embassy. These agents follow Jeanne because while she was in Budapest, she was investigating a lead that could prove the Hungarian leadership is attempting a secret rapprochement with Yugoslavia's President Bros Tito, in defiance of the Soviet policy that banned its satellites from getting cozy with non-aligned Yugoslavia. If this information is true and can be proved, it could land the Hungarian leadership in hot water with the Soviets. That's why Hungarian agents shadow Jeanne and it could also be the reason why Hungary retaliated with a phony trial on spying charges against the American citizen Anderson.
When the Hungarian spy trial of Anderson ends, the verdict is 20 years in a hard labor camp. The Hungarian leadership vows to hang the next American spy caught in Hungary. The Hungarians also are interested in a Hungarian defector, Gabor Chechi, who escaped Hungary but is assumed to have been assassinated. The Hungarians suspect that Chechi remains alive somewhere in France and that reporter Jeanne Moray might know where Chechi is. Race makes the acquaintance of Jeanne, who is forced to suppress a white-hot news story about an impending Iron Curtain political conspiracy because she lacks proof.
When the newspaper's Budapest correspondent, Barker, ends up in a Budapest hospital after a heart-attack, editor-in-chief Nick Strang dispatches the paper's top reporter Jimmy Race to replace Barker, behind the Iron Curtain, on a fact-finding mission.
At great risk to himself, Race arrives in Budapest and that's when his nightmare begins.
Race investigates a meeting involving the Hungarian ambassador, and ferrets out the facts, sometimes right under the noses of the communist "damage control" experts. Strang chose Race partly because of his dedication to truth, and partly because Strang has designs on the gorgeous Jeanne, himself.
While on assignment, Race is framed for espionage, and it's up to Strang to try to free him.
A 1952 American Cold War film-noir directed by Robert Parrish, produced by Samuel Marx and Jerry Bresler, screenplay by William Bowers, adaptation by Walter Goetz & Jack Palmer White, based on the story "Trial by Terror" by Pauline & Paul Gallico, cinematography by Ray Cory and Burnett Guffey, starring Dana Andrews, Märta Torén, George Sanders, Audrey Totter, Sandro Giglio, Donald Randolp, Herbert Berghof, Ben Astar, Willis Bouchey, Earl Lee, and Pál Jávor. Screen debut appearance for Leon Askin. Released by Columbia Pictures. Last of three films for Georgiana Wulff, all in uncredited parts, released from 1950 to 1952.
Märta Torén makes her last American screen appearance, and later left the United States for Italy. The reasons for her departure are the accusations of communism on her husband, the screenwriter Leonardo Bercovici, her wish to raise her future child far from Hollywood and the weariness of not having been able to get better roles. Dana Andrews and Märta Torén previously starred in another Cold War thriller, "Sword in the Desert" (1949).
This is based on a serialized Saturday Evening Post yarn by Paul and Pauline Gallico, later a book "Trial by Terror" (1952). Phil Karlson was the original director, but was fired during filming.
Filmed on location in Paris and Budapest. Location filming in Paris was interrupted by Communist agitators who were intent on preventing filming. A clandestine East West border swap would also end the film "White Nights" (1985).
Jeanne's car is a 1951 Ford Vedette convertible. It was designed by Ford in the U.S. with a body style similar to the Mercury and was built in France by Ford SAF.
One of the more palatable anti-Red tracts of its era. This makes excellent use of authentic Parisian and Hungarian locations.
A decent Cold War noir thriller. Sanders carries the film in the workhorse role, and an unusual one for him as he's a good guy. The Cold War atmosphere was just right for these shadowy noir films of intrigue. This is a good representation of the times. Not great, but certainly interesting with a thrilling, if not surprising, conclusion to the film.

[@jerryburton6825]

Never pass on a george sanders movie

[@bisedwards6985]

so true....he epitomizes "sardonic" with charm. . Also love Dana Andrews.

[@almpvnj]

Agreed!

[@sharioverend1618]

Absolutely! I am the exact same way!

[@greekveteran2715]

True, but then there are movies with Dana Andreus like The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) or Laura, that are so good, that screw my top 10 and top 50 favorite movies ever! (Especialy the first movie I mentioned!) Those who haven't watched it...I promise it's MASTERPIECE.

[@ArifKhan-vh2gx]

Sanders, the voice of Sher Khan,tiger in jungle book

[@chrisrso1]

Gripping story, brilliantly told, with great feeling! This one is a keeper!!

[@HawaiiJetboat]

Seeing General Burkhalter dressed civilian and at least a100lbs thinner made him a good Hungarian villain henchman. Dana Andrews reprises his sleuthing scheming role from Berlin Correspondent and for once George Sanders gets to play a good guy. Good Movie, first time viewing and well worth it. A good quality upload too.

[@ValerieGriner]

Wonderful movie! loved it! Thanks for posting.

[@paolazuffinetti]

I wouldn't miss a film with Dana Andrews👍👍👍. And Thanks for the very good viewing. Rest of cast: exceptional.

[@fritula6200]

This film is so rich with quality:

[@natalieabreu7758]

Thank you loved it.I had never seen the movie.Always loved George Sanders and Dana Andrews.

[@lindaanthony7890]

Love both George Sanders and Dana Andrews❤❤

[@90FF1]

Very good Cold War story. Jimmy Race (Andrews) was a little too brash in a foreign consulate and the gorgeous Moray (Torén)❤ though beautiful enough didn't seem tough enough as a news correspondent. Sandy (Totter), on the other hand, who was, worked as a fashion editor. Go figure. Sadly, Torén died far too early at the age of but 30 years old. Great cast. Enjoyable. Thank you

[@larrainemorris8572]

Love the outfits on the fashion reporter.

[@user-tf9yy5uq9p]

@larrainemorris8752 That fashion reporter was the every lovely, frequently deadly in her deviousness, when portraying a femme fatale, in her numerous film noir appearances, Audrey Totter. Some, but not her best films are available here on You Tube, and also on Internet Archive. Check them out, you will not be dissapointed.

[@alijames180]

George Sanders ❤

[@swahilijs]

Great movie, great to see George sandes playing a good guy.

[@virginiawilson2213]

I never passed up a Dana Andrews movie! He is one of my favorites!❤

[@TheRKae]

I just saw him in "Fallen Angel" last week. Never seen it before. It was excellent!

[@samueldavidrucker7514]

They're still doing it to this day; Whelan, the Wall Street Journal reporter....

[@juliehoffman6292]

Excellent movie. TCM just shows the same movies over and over.

[@robertd.carver6240]

Great Cold War espionage plot, well-acted by all.

[@judyderieux8484]

Wonderful movie....

[@danielmeegan6259]

Excellent thank you

[@BlueSky-qs3wp]

At the time of shooting this film the USA was busy plotting the infamous coup of 1953 to overthrow the democratically elected government of Dr Mussadaq in Iran.

[@farshidehnasrin4284]

Thank you for reminding that coup, although America did not acknowledge it for may years till on August 2013. And years before it , on February 1979, they put Khomeini in the airplane and send to Iran. مرسی آسمان آبی وطن

[@videocritic]

Very atmospheric

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

STRONG SCORE ...Duning

[@fidelnicole434]

Nice movie

[@cya2163]

Mr. Sanders probably had the dishiest voice in the history of men...until Sean Connery...

[@Truth845]

Don't forget James Mason!!😊

[@markhuru]

Bar tender looks like Mel blanc

[@suzibouch-xm9yr]

Which is better, the acting or the writing? Will have to watch it again to decide.... 😊

[@thomassnider6691]

I didn't have the highest hopes for this movie, and only watched it because I thought the movie I originally picked out would suck. I am glad I changed movies, because this movie was great: a taut thriller, without a break in the tension. One more thing: I've noticed that many movies don't use the title of the source material for the title of the movie. This was a mistake in this case, because Trial By Terror would have been a much better title than Assignment: Paris.

[@swissotto1]

I appreciate Dana Andrews. His first wife died from pneumonia along with an unnamed child. He remained married to his second wife till his death. I find that admirable. I enjoy his work.

[@valeriebwilliams701]

George n Eve; Bette Davis😊

[@redblade8160]

Why is Dana Andrews kissing George Sanders in the thumbnail?

[@lucyleone5179]

Did anyone notice the radio announcer at the 58:52 point - he looked and sounded like Fernando Lamas...anyone ??

[@DelvingEye]

It's Paul Frees, who did lots of voices, including Boris Badenov in "Rocky & Bullwinkle.

[@melodyberndt3914]

👍

[@fanettesoupochou3326]

les prisons hongroises m'ont fait penser à Guantanamo en moins pire. Loin d'être un chef-d'oeuvre (je n'aime pas Parrish), mais Les 3 acteurs sont fabuleux, Sanders en tête !

[@franciscodepaulagomes8893]

Marta Toren, um dos nais belos rostos do cinema.

[@markhuru]

Jimmy is a fast mover, prob had many before her….

[@redtobertshateshandles]

And kids are enamoured with Socialism. SMH.

[@rajendranramasamythevar1813]

Lucky he was alive, a great movie.,pity he has to be replaced,.

[@giovannaperez1456]

Porfa pongan subtítulos en español gracias

[@markhuru]

Did road house copy this love triangle…

[@garys1092]

Crocodile Dundee perhaps

[@farshidehnasrin4284]

I laughed for 5 minutes@@garys1092

[@TheQuirkyCharacter]

Gripping, even though the premise is dated. (Or is it?) But a criminally underused Audrey Totter. . .

[@nathaliebresson9976]

Je veux bien être " kissed" par Dana Andrews !! Il est irrésistible

[@DelvingEye]

Big smoker and drinker, donc non merci. His alcoholism did him in, sadly.

[@natalieabreu7758]

George Sanders not bad either.Right.

[@user-zo2zm2hk7w]

No, he did not die from alcoholism. I just saw an interview with his brother, Steve Forest. He had conquered alcohol years before he died.

[@tarstarkusz]

Now Hungry is blessed with a wise leader like Viktor Orban whose leadership and his country are a light to the free world.

[@LM-fn6qb]

17:13 Just wanted to push that Dana Andrews character out of her room when he burst in with waiter and corsage and menu. Too overbearing, too over confident. Grinning at her with his head stuck out like a komodo dragon waiting to gobble her up. I know they want to hurry the movie along but they made him look like a heel. Dinner in a few days, that would have been civilised.

[@samueldavidrucker7514]

The world of Putin when he was a young paper pusher

[@LM-fn6qb]

Putin was born the year this was made.

[@samueldavidrucker7514]

@@LM-fn6qb And by the time he was a young Kremlin stooge that system of evil was fully developed. The former KGB officer stationed in East Berlin can't conceive of "power to the people." For him to take mass under Krill is the absolute height of hypocrisy. Hell is not hot enough for either of those rats and the voices of the Soviet Union who are playing the same game of imperialism as the Czars for centuries.

[@joeenglert]

wow,,the graat george sanders taking second billing to b movie king dana andrews

[@DelvingEye]

Andrews still bore some of the star-quality sheen of Laura (1944). But yeah, Sanders was always better than B status.

[@suzysuzy4799]

🇹🇯🤔🤔🤔🤔🥲🥲🥲🥲🇹🇯

[@badhairdye]

A spy thriller, yes -- but a film noir, no. It's photographed in B & W, and it dates from the post-WW II era, true, but these elements do not make a film noir. Just for your information. Anyway, TFP. It's an absorbing film, even if Andrews hams up the American hero cliche.

[@notpurrfect6397]

So many people see any b&w drama and label it noir.

[@elianavarro5734]

If she goes back to that Evil man I will not watch your show… I’m tired of his abuse his children fear him mother Bloom in a earlier show months ago that he had a fight with his older son, lost his temper and killed him…I saw his son bleeding from his head…before he threw her out he hit her on the head she was in alot of pain…..

[@JSwift-jq3wn]

Always the same script, Western propaganda.

[@gerryhouska2859]

Under Orban Hungary is reverting back to that.

[@JSwift-jq3wn]

@@gerryhouska2859 I believe it. It has taken me such a long time to realize how subtle the Western propaganda is, to this day. All Hollywood is just subliminal messaging.

[@kathyflorcruz552]

Counter - communsm you mean? Hollywood embraced communism Marxism & anti-western propaganda a long time ago.

[@natalieabreu7758]

@@gerryhouska2859indeed it is.The rest of the European community is desperate.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Sorry, it's the truth about Communism.

[@payload9865]

Why didn’t they just grab her in the beginning of the movie and water torture her to get information on where Garbo is?? Instead of following her?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Because there would be no movie. 😂

[@thomasdecarlo8543]

How the hell did these people do so much smoking … all the time … everywhere … nonstop …unbelievable…

[@payload9865]

Why would the American government coward towards the Hungarian government? In the 1950s they could level the entire hungry if they wanted. I’m mean it’s hungry for goodness sake. 😂

[@redtobertshateshandles]

They are great people the Hungarians. Haters of Communism and other evil lies.