Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939)

Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels: There will be slight change in our methods. From now on, National Socialism in the United States must wrap itself in the American flag. It must appear to be a defense of Americanism. But at the same time, our aim must always be to discredit conditions there in the United Sates. And in this way make life in Germany admired and wished for. Racial and religious hatred must be fostered on the basis of American-Aryanism. Classism must be encouraged in a way that the labor and the middle classes will become confused and antagonistic. In the ensuing chaos, we will be able to take control.

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Edward 'Ed' Renard: Funny thing working on a case like this for so long. Something like spending a great deal of time going through a madhouse. You see these Nazis operating here, and you think of all those in Germany, you can't help feeling somehow that they're, well, absolutely insane.

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Edward 'Ed' Renard: I told you I thought this man is an amateur. If he is, why did he become a spy? Well, because he's been listening to speeches, and reading pamphlets about Nazi Germany and believing them. Unfortunately, there are thousands like him in America. Half-witted, hysterical crackpots who go "Hitler-happy" from overindulgence in propaganda that makes them believe that they're supermen.

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A libel suit for $75,000 was filed on Monday, July 3, 1939 in U.S. Federal Court against Warner Bros. by Katherine Moog, in which she claimed that the picture "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" and its advertisements defamed her character. Plaintiff alleged that Warners, without her consent, used her name to exploit the picture and connected her with the character "Erika Wolf," played by Lya Lys.
Ernest Haller took over as director of photography when Sol Polito fell ill.
When this movie was made, America was not part of World War II. At this time a number of Hollywood studios were pro-American involvement in the war. This movie is one of a number of films made during the late 1930s and early 1940s that represented pro-American intervention in the war, including such films as A Yank in the R.A.F., Man Hunt, Foreign Correspondent, The Mortal Storm, and Sergeant York.
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