The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2014

38 JULY-AUGUST 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL For those of us in the Foreign Service, “State Department File 649” is our cinematic showcase, William Lundigan our star, and Virginia Bruce our Best Actress. BY DONALD M . B I SHOP A h, the movies! They entertain. They make us cry, or cheer. They lead us down the paths of love, or fear. In front of the big screen our blood runs cold, or rushes in anticipation. Films introduce us to the regions of America and the countries of the world. They take us to places—pris- ons, courtrooms, airline cockpits, mines, ranches, submarines—we are unlikely ever to visit in real life. Films also portray and introduce professions, giving visibil- ity, dignity and, perhaps, adventure tomany walks of life. What fisherman does not see something of himself in Spencer Tracy (in “Captains Courageous”) or George Clooney (in “The Perfect Storm”)? RobinWilliams in “Dead Poets Society” and Richard Dreyfuss in “Mr. Holland’s Opus” surely make every teacher walk a little taller. What American can see a locomotive without think- FEATURE It Deserved an Oscar Donald M. Bishop, a retired Foreign Service public diplomacy officer, was a public affairs officer in Bangladesh, Nigeria and China, and twice served as a foreign policy adviser at the Pentagon. His last assignment was in Kabul. ing of Denzel Washington (“Unstoppable”) or Barbara Stanwyck (“Union Pacific”)? Tell lawyer jokes if you will, but who does not admire Gregory Peck in “To Kill a Mockingbird” and Jimmy Stewart in “Anatomy of a Murder”? Once upon a time, Hollywood helped Americans get to know our diplomatic corps throughmagnetic, attractive and well- tailored actors like WilliamLundigan and Virginia Bruce. I refer, of course, to the stars of that classic filmdirected by SamNewfield, “State Department File 649.” I’m still hoping that Denzel, Kevin, Keanu or Leonardo, paired with Sandra, Angelina, Renee or Lucy, will star in a similar diplomatic blockbuster. Yes, “Argo” gave us a slice of embassy life and quiet courage, but the hero worked for the CIA. For those of us in the Foreign Service, “State Department File 649” is our cinematic showcase, William Lundigan our star, and Virginia Bruce our Best Actress. This 1949 indie classic long lay in undeserved obscurity, until Alpha Video recently made it—original, unedited, unenhanced, unrestored—available in its rich, original CineColor on DVD and online. Netflix can send you the film, or you can find it on YouTube (or publicdomainflicks.com) . For those of you inWashington, there’s a copy at the Ralph Bunche Library. Wherever you view it, “State Department 649” deserves pride of place at the next Foggy BottomFilmFestival. Let’s look, then, at