I round up because I'm generous that way.

This is a 1950 British made thriller starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as an American doctor invited to a Balkan-type dictatorship, where he learns a terrible state secret and is soon on the run for his life with state police on his heels.

This highly successful suspense thriller, with some humor spliced into the proceedings, was written and directed by Sidney Gilliat, the same man responsible for the screenplay of one of Hitchcock's most famous British triumphs, The Lady Vanishes. In fact, there is so much about this innocent man on the run adventure that reminds me of Hitchcock thrillers. But this film stands on its own as one of the best Hitchcock-like thrillers not directed by the master of suspense.

Fairbanks, in his second last film prior to retirement, delivers one of his most understated, likable performances, but this time as an everyman with whom members of the audience can identify. Husky voiced Glynis Johns is most appealing as a stage performer who reluctantly joins Fairbanks in his flight from the police, while Jack Hawkins oozes charm as well as a pragmatic cold bloodedness as the head of the state police.

A particular highlight performer in the film is Herbert Lom, a delight as a sleazy underworld figure, capable of informing upon his own mother, but blackmailed into assisting Fairbanks. Lom brings a dark humour to the film and steals every scene that he is in.

A most satisfactory suspense thriller, and highly recommended, State Secret was once a television staple. Today, however, it has become a challenge to find a print of the film.

State Secret casts Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, as an American doctor practicing in London who goes on a goodwill tour behind the Iron Curtain to demonstrate a ew surgical technique.

Fairbanks is wined and dined and feted and then performs the operation and bad for him that he recognizes his patient is the country's dictator.

The secret police in the person of Jack Hawkins try to hold him, but Fairbanks escapes in possession of one of the biggest State Secrets out there. The rest of the film is Fairbanks and his efforts to flee the country.

Fairbanks gives a wonderful portrayal of a trapped man. Not knowing the language is a frightful and almost insurmountable barrier. A meting with Glynis John who is an entertainer who speaks English because her mother was from the United Kingdom is a godsend. Their scenes together as Fairbanks tries to persuade Glynis to help are special.

The atmosphere shown of the omnipresent state is the best thing about State Secret. Another special performance is that of Herbert Lom as a fixer who will help if it suits him for a price.

State Secret is one excellent Cold War drama/

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. has invented a new surgical procedure. He's invited to a European dictatorship to demonstrate it. He discovers in mid-operation his patient is the country's dictator. When the dictator dies, the authorities, in the person of Jack Hawkins, can't let anyone know, so Fairbanks ... escapes and so begins the movie.

It's Sidney Gilliat doing a Hitchcock thriller on his own, and doing it very well, thank you, with a fine cast, with heroine Glynis Johns showing up a third of the way into the movie in a cheap music hall singing "Paper Doll" very badly and Herbert Lom hilariously sleazy as a black-market fixer. There's an exciting mountain-climbing sequence shot in the Dolomites and the entire movie is shot through with a sardonic cynicism that is capped with Miss Johns' closing words to the show.