Operator 13 (1934): Cast & Plot
Operator 13 is a 1934 romantic drama directed by Richard Boleslawski, starring Sterling Holloway as Wounded Union Soldier (uncredited), Sidney Toler and Marion Davies. It runs 1 hour 22 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 22m (82 min)
- Director
- Richard Boleslawski
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Operator 13 About?
The premise of Operator 13 without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A twist of fate turns them into both enemies and lovers during the American Civil War in 1862. In the wake of the disastrous Second Battle of Bull Run, Union Secret Service chief Major Allen recruits actress Gail Loveless to serve as one of his operatives, sending her behind Confederate lines to gather intelligence. Their covert work forces them into a dangerous liaison as she infiltrates enemy territory.
Operator 13 Themes & Keywords
· 28 tags- general
- blackface
- lie
- multiple deaths
- parties
- ball
- women wanted to take a bath
- friend
- love
- espionage
- confederate army
- secret service
+16 more Show fewer
- female spy
- reference to rip van winkle
- pinkerton agent
- reference to jeb stuart
- fording a river
- battle of bull run
- impersonation
- medicine show
- american civil war
- firing squad
- racial impersonation
- richmond virginia
- escape
- washington d.c.
- deception
- execution
Operator 13 Cast & Characters
Sterling Holloway leads the cast as Wounded Union Soldier (uncredited), with Sidney Toler as Major Allen and Marion Davies as Gail Loveless. Directed by Richard Boleslawski; 32 actors are credited in all.
- Director Richard Boleslawski
-
Sterling Holloway as Wounded Union Soldier (uncredited) - Sidney Toler as Major Allen
- Marion Davies as Gail Loveless
- Katharine Alexander as Pauline
Also Starring in Operator 13
· 28 more- Gary Cooper Captain Jack Gailliard
- Douglass Dumbrille General Stuart
- John Mills Medicine Show Singer
- Hattie McDaniel Annie (uncredited)
- Jean Parker Eleanor
- Wade Boteler Gaston
- Henry Wadsworth John Pelham
- Curly Howard Confederate Soldier (uncredited)
- Francis McDonald Denton (uncredited)
- Sam McDaniel Rufus (uncredited)
- Clarence Wilson Josiah Claybourne (uncredited)
- Willard Robertson Captain Channing
- Walter Long Operator 55
- Fuzzy Knight Sweeney
- Marjorie Gateson Mrs. Shackleford
- E. Alyn Warren General Ulysses S. Grant (uncredited)
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Robert McWade Colonel Sharpe
- Madame Sul-Te-Wan Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)
- Reginald Barlow Colonel Storm (uncredited)
- Ted Healy Doctor Hitchcock
- John Larkin Fisherman (uncredited)
- Franklin Parker John Hay (uncredited)
- Martin Turner Hickman
- Russell Hardie Littledale
- Donald Mills Medicine Show Singer
- Herbert Mills Medicine Show Singer
- Harry Mills Medicine Show Singer
- Etta Moten Slave At Medicine Show (uncredited)
More from Richard Boleslawski
More films directed by Richard Boleslawski: The Last of Mrs. Cheyney, Theodora Goes Wild, The Garden of Allah and Three Godfathers.
Operator 13 Plot Summary
What happens in Operator 13 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During the chaos of the American Civil War, following the Union’s setback at the Second Battle of Bull Run, the film delves into the daring and risky operations of espionage and loyalty. The story begins at a Union military hospital where the Pauline Cushman Players perform for wounded soldiers, providing a distraction amidst wartime despair. Among them is Pauline (a character played by an actress whose page is /actor/pauline-cushman), a courageous spy working for the renowned detective agency of Allan Pinkerton. She recognizes the potential in her close friend and fellow showgirl, Gail (/actor/gail), and recommends her to become a spy for the Union, especially after the previous Operator 13 has been caught and executed.
Full summary
The whole story of Operator 13, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Operator 13?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main female spy in 'Operator 13'?
Seen Operator 13?
Movies Like Operator 13
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Operator, Only the Brave and 13 Rue Madeleine.
Operator 13 FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Operator 13, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Operator 13?
Operator 13 runs 1 hour 22 minutes (82 minutes).
When was Operator 13 released?
Operator 13 was released on June 8, 1934.
Who directed Operator 13?
Operator 13 was directed by Richard Boleslawski.
More films by Richard Boleslawski Who is in the cast of Operator 13?
Operator 13 stars Sterling Holloway as Wounded Union Soldier (uncredited), Sidney Toler as Major Allen and Marion Davies as Gail Loveless, among 32 credited actors.
Does Operator 13 have a post-credit scene?
No. Operator 13 has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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