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  • The Sickle or the Cross (1949)
  • Approved
    74 min | Drama, War
The Sickle or the Cross (1949)
Approved
74 min | Drama, War

Reverend John Burnside, American missionary in the Far East, prepares to return home after twenty years to take up the fight against Communism. The Reds imprison him and send in his place a spy who is his double, but who is instructed to ...See moreReverend John Burnside, American missionary in the Far East, prepares to return home after twenty years to take up the fight against Communism. The Reds imprison him and send in his place a spy who is his double, but who is instructed to come out for Communism. The spy is accepted in Burnside's home town, and he reports to local Communist headquarters, where James John, prominent local businessman but in reality a Red agent, has instructions to assist him in all details of his mission. He does a series of personal appearances and radio interviews and talk shows, using an anti-Communist approach. Meanwhile, he is getting the chance to see how Americans live, and the part that religion plays in their lives, and there is also a slight romance between him and Burnside's former sweetheart, Louise Cannon, who thinks he is the man she knew twenty-years previously. Then comes the night when he is scheduled to go on the air on an international hook-up, at which time he is do an about-face and speak on the virtues of Communism. Instead, he tears up his pro-Communist speech and denounces Communism. Red agents kill him and they are rounded up by the FBI. The real Burnside, in a North Korean prison, hears the broadcast. Written by Les Adams See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Frank R. Strayer (as Frank Strayer)
Writer
Jesse Lasky Jr. (original screenplay) (documentary script)
Producer
Cinematographer
Editor
S. Roy Luby (as Roy Luby)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jul 1, 1949

Release date
Jul 1, 1949 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

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24 cast members
Name Known for
Kent Taylor
Rev. John Burnside Rev. John Burnside   See fewer
Gloria Holden
Louise Cannon Louise Cannon   See fewer
Gene Lockhart
James John James John   See fewer
David Bruce
George Hart George Hart   See fewer
Emmett Vogan
Walter Deems Walter Deems   See fewer
Kathleen Lockhart
Martha Deems Martha Deems   See fewer
Margaret Kerry
Betty Deems Betty Deems   See fewer
Arthur Stone
Tommy Deems Tommy Deems   See fewer
Dudley Dickerson
Horatio Horatio   See fewer
Adeline De Walt Reynolds
Mrs. Burnside Mrs. Burnside   See fewer
Robert Emmett Keane
Dr. Soams Dr. Soams   See fewer
John Eldredge
Rev. Dodge Rev. Dodge   See fewer
Ivan Triesault
I.V. Morse I.V. Morse   See fewer
Charles Halton
Dr. Short Dr. Short   See fewer
Gene Roth
Pakin Pakin   See fewer
Gayne Whitman
Tim Matthews Tim Matthews   See fewer
Anne O'Neal
Mrs. Borum Mrs. Borum   See fewer
Dian Fauntelle
Bookstore Clerk Bookstore Clerk   See fewer
Philip Ahn
Chinese Official Chinese Official   See fewer
Jack Rice
Radio Engineer Radio Engineer   See fewer
Joe Hinds
Mr. Willoughby Mr. Willoughby   See fewer
Nan Boardman
Mrs. Willoughby Mrs. Willoughby   See fewer
Stephen Chase
Detective Detective   See fewer
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