This is almost like two films--one literate and engaging, the other stupid and clichéd. It's really a shame all the problems weren't worked out with the writing, but considering how quickly most B-movies were written and produced, this isn't too unusual. It's a real shame, though, as this could have been a very good film.First the good. The movie is original and involves WWII code-breakers. This is pretty fascinating and I liked watching the leading man (Lee Bowman) go through his paces as a master code-breaker. In fact, the first two-thirds of the film was very good. But now for the bad, the film just went on way too long and lost steam at about 50 minutes. Additionally, Jean Rogers' role as the "kooky girlfriend" must rank as one of the worst-written and distracting roles in film history!! For every smart move made by Bowman, the idiot Rogers then stepped in to screw things up as some sort of misguided "comedy relief". If her role had been intelligently written, the overall film would have improved immensely! Instead, watching her, it's hard to understand how we actually won WWII!!

This MGM (5th Column) spy movie is made by the A team at MGM. It opens with a Japanese sub sinking an American ship. Then you see that the Nazis (not Japanese) have taken over a D.C. hotel from which they transmit messages including the position of the just sunken supply ship. The obvious fear that is revealed is that the axis (Germany and Japan) nations are working together. I have read that "Code breaking" by both the Germans and Japanese was common and was a great problem for the USA in WW2. Next we go to a ballroom in a hotel, probably the Park hotel. Lt. Gordon (Lee Bowman) meets his romantic interest Elaine (Jean Rogers). Jean Rogers appearance, later in the movie, is very appealing. Her female rival Olivia (Mona Maris) reminds one of a fetching Kay Francis. Although it was patriotic, romantic, intriguing and had two murders, the writers were brilliant as the plot was also cute and light. In 1942, this was (most likely) welcomed after a year of doubt beginning with Pearl Harbor, the Bataan death march and the defeat at Corregidor. Nothing encouraging was happening in Europe and the US troops in Africa had been less than heroic. Here we find a hero in navy Lt. Gordon who breaks the Nazi code which allows them to intercept the Nazi transmission. They discover they have but three days to discover who has stolen a US code book, recover it and prevent another major WW2 disaster. Does Lt. Gordon discover the bad guy 5th Columnists? Does he recover the Code Book and thereby prevent the death of a convoy of troops, a part of the 300,000 reinforcements? The 300,000 who will be needed in the Pacific to bring victory over Japan. In 1942 the USA had been awakened out of its sleep by Japan at Pearl Harbor (Dec.7, 1941) and was now dressing for WAR, for total victory and would insist on an unconditional surrender. Yes, it has a light romantic comedy woven into an otherwise very heavy, sad and despairing movie. This movie was "just what the doctor ordered" at this time of desperation and preparation. You will come away from this movie encouraged with a smile on your face. (Smile)

This is a rather tame fluff piece concerning WW II codes being broken, stolen, etc. The acting is about what I expected from this cast of MGM "B" actors.One big caution. Jean Rogers, who did such a great job playing the very sexy Dale Arden in the first two Flash Gordon serials is just awful in this movie. Her character is extremely annoying. She absolutely never lets-up with her overacting. We are supposed to believe that during the height of a World War in what would obviously be a Top Secret code facility, she would be allowed to just pop in and out of any office of her choosing although she has no official function. From that standpoint I'm sorry that I ever watched this film. It has forever changed my perception of Ms. Rogers. Talentwise, she is an extreme lightweight.Lee Bowman is his usual self, meaning that he is merely adequate.

Ludicrous violations of the most basic security regs are only the beginning. It's hard to see how they achieved such abysmal trash on such a low budget. I turned it off once, then got curious to see if it could get any worse. It did.