# The Informer

> 1935 film by John Ford

**Wikidata**: [Q463869](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q463869)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Informer_(1935_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-informer-q463869

## Summary
*The Informer* is a 1935 American drama film directed by John Ford, starring Victor McLaglen and Margot Grahame. It is a crime drama based on the true story of a police informant who helps the authorities catch a gang of bootleggers, only to be betrayed and killed by them. The film is notable for its gritty realism and social commentary on organized crime.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: January 1, 1935
- **Director**: John Ford
- **Starring**: Victor McLaglen, Margot Grahame, Charles Bickford
- **Genre**: Drama, Crime
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Production Company**: RKO Pictures
- **Awards**: Academy Award for Best Actor (Victor McLaglen), Academy Award for Best Director (John Ford), Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (John Moncrieff, Ben Hecht)
- **National Board of Review Award for Best Film**
- **Part of**: National Film Registry (1988)
- **Wikidata Description**: 1935 film by John Ford
- **Sitelink Count**: 33 (Wikipedia links)
- **Publication Date**: January 1, 1935
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Production Company**: RKO Pictures
- **Wikipedia Title**: The Informer (1935 film)

## FAQs
**What is the plot of *The Informer*?**
*The Informer* follows a police informant who helps authorities catch a gang of bootleggers but is betrayed and killed by them, highlighting the dangers of informants in organized crime. The film is based on a true story and is known for its gritty realism.

**Who directed *The Informer*?**
The film was directed by John Ford, a renowned filmmaker known for his work in Westerns and dramas. Ford was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for this film.

**What awards did *The Informer* receive?**
*The Informer* won three Academy Awards: Best Actor (Victor McLaglen), Best Director (John Ford), and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (John Moncrieff, Ben Hecht). It also received a National Board of Review Award for Best Film.

**Where was *The Informer* produced?**
The film was produced by RKO Pictures, an American film production and distribution company active from 1928 to 1959. RKO Pictures was known for producing iconic films such as *King Kong* (1933) and *Citizen Kane* (1941).

**What is the significance of *The Informer* in film history?**
*The Informer* is significant for its realistic portrayal of organized crime and the dangers faced by informants. It was added to the National Film Registry in 1988, which preserves films of cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. The film's gritty realism and social commentary have influenced crime dramas and films about informants.

## Why It Matters
*The Informer* matters as a pivotal work in the Golden Age of Hollywood, providing a gritty and realistic portrayal of organized crime and the moral dilemmas faced by informants. The film's success and awards highlight its impact on cinema, influencing future crime dramas and films about informants. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry underscores its cultural and historical significance, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The film's social commentary on the dangers of informants in organized crime continues to resonate, making it a notable entry in film history.

## Notable For
- **Academy Awards**: Won three Oscars, including Best Actor (Victor McLaglen) and Best Director (John Ford).
- **National Film Registry**: Added in 1988, preserving its cultural and historical significance.
- **Gritty Realism**: Known for its realistic portrayal of organized crime and the dangers faced by informants.
- **Social Commentary**: Highlights the moral dilemmas and risks associated with informants in criminal organizations.
- **Influence on Crime Dramas**: Influenced future films about informants and organized crime, shaping the genre of crime dramas.
- **RKO Pictures Production**: Produced by RKO Pictures, a major Hollywood studio known for producing iconic films.
- **John Ford Direction**: Directed by John Ford, a renowned filmmaker known for his work in Westerns and dramas.
- **Victor McLaglen Performance**: Featured Victor McLaglen, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role.
- **Ben Hecht Screenplay**: Adapted screenplay by Ben Hecht, contributing to the film's critical acclaim.
- **Crime Drama Genre**: A defining work in the crime drama genre, known for its realistic and gripping storytelling.

## Body
### Plot and Themes
*The Informer* follows the story of a police informant who helps authorities catch a gang of bootleggers but is betrayed and killed by them. The film explores the dangers and moral dilemmas faced by informants in organized crime, providing a gritty and realistic portrayal of the underworld. The story is based on a true event, adding authenticity to the film's themes.

### Production and Crew
The film was directed by John Ford, a renowned filmmaker known for his work in Westerns and dramas. Ford was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for this film. The screenplay was adapted by John Moncrieff and Ben Hecht, who won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay. The film was produced by RKO Pictures, a major Hollywood studio known for producing iconic films such as *King Kong* (1933) and *Citizen Kane* (1941).

### Cast and Performances
The film starred Victor McLaglen, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as the informant. Margot Grahame and Charles Bickford also featured in the cast, contributing to the film's realistic portrayal of organized crime. McLaglen's performance was particularly notable for its gritty realism and depth.

### Awards and Recognition
*The Informer* won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Victor McLaglen), Best Director (John Ford), and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (John Moncrieff, Ben Hecht). It also received a National Board of Review Award for Best Film, further cementing its status as a significant film. The film's awards highlight its impact on cinema and its influence on future crime dramas.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
*The Informer* is significant for its realistic portrayal of organized crime and the dangers faced by informants. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry in 1988 underscores its cultural and historical significance, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The film's gritty realism and social commentary have influenced crime dramas and films about informants, shaping the genre of crime dramas.

### Related Works and Influence
*The Informer* is a notable work in the crime drama genre, known for its realistic and gripping storytelling. The film's influence on future crime dramas and its portrayal of informants in organized crime continue to resonate, making it a notable entry in film history. The film's success and awards highlight its impact on cinema and its influence on the crime drama genre.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=1043.html)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026529/)
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026529/fullcredits)
4. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
5. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1936)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
8. The Informer. Rotten Tomatoes
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Kinopoisk
11. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
12. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/4136)
13. Online-Filmdatenbank
14. mymovies.it
15. The Movie Database
16. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/3899-7B45-24F8-8D20-88CD-L)
17. Danish Film Database
18. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/80838)
19. Trakt.tv
20. FilmVandaag.nl