Pennant P-3 (June, 1953).
British author Eric Ambler (1909-1998) specialized in spy novels in which ordinary people are caught up in the dangerous web of espionage. In a French village near the Riviera, on the eve of World War II, mild-mannered teacher Josef Vadassy stops to pick up his vacation photos. Before he can admire the fruits of his favorite hobby, he is promptly arrested for espionage.
This misfortune struck because of an unlucky accident. Someone had taken his camera by mistake and left theirs behind. He finds this out when he brings film from the camera to be developed at the local pharmacy and is arrested. The film contains photographs of sensitive naval installations at Toulon. He eventually persuades police officials he is not a spy, but this rather timid man must now help them catch the real spy.
Eric Ambler’s “Epitaph for a Spy” was the basis for the 1944 spy film titled “Hotel Reserve,” which starred James Mason as the innocent man caught up in espionage. The book was also the basis for two British TV mini-series in 1953 and 1963. Yet no film clips or trailers are available on the web. Very strange!
Pennant P-3 (June, 1953).
British author Eric Ambler (1909-1998) specialized in spy novels in which ordinary people are caught up in the dangerous web of espionage. In a French village near the Riviera, on the eve of World War II, mild-mannered teacher Josef Vadassy stops to pick up his vacation photos. Before he can admire the fruits of his favorite hobby, he is promptly arrested for espionage.
This misfortune struck because of an unlucky accident. Someone had taken his camera by mistake and left theirs behind. He finds this out when he brings film from the camera to be developed at the local pharmacy and is arrested. The film contains photographs of sensitive naval installations at Toulon. He eventually persuades police officials he is not a spy, but this rather timid man must now help them catch the real spy.
Eric Ambler’s “Epitaph for a Spy” was the basis for the 1944 spy film titled “Hotel Reserve,” which starred James Mason as the innocent man caught up in espionage. The book was also the basis for two British TV mini-series in 1953 and 1963. Yet no film clips or trailers are available on the web. Very strange!