Rendezvous (1935) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set primarily in Washington, D.C., serving as a wartime nerve center during World War I. Key locations include an embassy gathering, the War Department's code-breaking room, and a hotel used by enemy agents. The capital city becomes the stage for intelligence operations against German espionage.

• washington dc
• setting
• locations
• world war 1

Rendezvous takes place in April 1917, during the United States' entry into World War I. The timing coincides with America's mobilization against the German U-boat threat as troops and supply convoys are sent to France.

• 1917
• world war 1
• time period
• april 1917

The film explores three interconnected themes: espionage involving a German spy ring operating in Washington, romance between cryptanalyst Gordon and socialite Joel amid wartime secrecy, and cryptography centering on a newly devised code for convoy movements that gets compromised by enemy agents.

• themes
• espionage
• romance
• cryptography

The main character is Lt. William 'Bill' Gordon, an Army cryptanalyst and former newspaperman who yearns for frontline action but is reassigned to the code-breaking desk. His cryptographic skills become essential to breaking the German spy ring and safeguarding the convoy to France.

• bill gordon
• protagonist
• cryptanalyst
• william powell

Joel Carter is a stylish socialite whose family connections pull strings in Washington high society. She reveals Gordon's true identity to keep him in the capital, which enables their romantic relationship while simultaneously complicating questions of loyalty and national duty.

• joel carter
• socialite
• rosalind russell
• love interest

Olivia Karloff is a glamorous associate tied to the German spy ring who uses charm to misdirect American intelligence. She becomes a catalyst in the pursuit by betraying her allies, driving crucial turns in the hunt for the compromised code.

• olivia karloff
• spy
• binnie barnes
• villain

The War Department serves as the operational hub for cryptography and counterintelligence efforts. Its code-breaking room is where Gordon works to decipher intercepted messages and uncover the spy network. The department drives the urgency to protect convoy movements from German espionage.

• war department
• cryptography
• code breaking
• intelligence

A German spy ring operates covertly in Washington, aiming to exploit a newly devised code intended to direct convoy movements. The War Department's cryptographers race to decipher intercepted messages before enemy orders can be executed. Trust and deception mingle as spies and informants surface in high-stakes maneuvers.

• german spies
• espionage
• spy ring
• code breaking

The plot centers on a newly devised code meant to direct convoy movements to France. Cryptanalyst Gordon deciphers an intercepted message and realizes the cipher has been compromised by the spy ring. Counterintelligence efforts pivot on keeping the cipher secure while closing in on the spies.

• cryptography
• code
• cipher
• convoy

Rendezvous blends two genres: War and Comedy. The tone is predominantly tense due to constant threats of compromised codes and enemy agents, creating steady pacing toward a critical deadline. This tension is balanced by romantic comedy elements, including a charming meet-cute and a central relationship that influences the plot.

• genre
• war
• comedy
• tone
• romantic comedy

Captain Nicholas 'Nikki' Nieterstein is an embassy attaché who is revealed as part of the German spy network. His capture and subsequent suicide underscore the peril of espionage and the deadly costs of a compromised code.

• nick nieterstein
• cesar romero
• embassy
• spy

Major William Brennan is an experienced cryptologist tasked with deciphering the new code for convoy movements. He grows suspicious of the spy ring and his mistress, but his inability to crack the code creates pressure for others to act, highlighting the high stakes of code-breaking during wartime.

• major brennan
• cryptologist
• lionel atwill
• code