Saboteur (1942) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Barry Kane was wrongfully accused because the real saboteur, Frank Fry, had deliberately given Barry a fire extinguisher filled with gasoline instead of actual fire-suppression material. When Barry attempted to use the extinguisher on the fire, the gasoline caused the flames to spread dramatically, making it appear that Barry was the one who had started the blaze. This setup allowed the actual arsonist to frame an innocent man while escaping detection.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early on that Barry was simply trying to help by grabbing the nearest extinguisher, making his guilt seem plausible to witnesses.

• barry kane
• wrongful accusation
• sabotage
• fire
• frame job
• stuarts aircraft factory

Frank Fry was the true arsonist who set fire to the Stuarts Aircraft Factory. He deliberately handed Barry Kane a fire extinguisher filled with gasoline, knowing that Barry would attempt to use it to put out the fire, thus framing him for the sabotage. Barry discovered Fry's identity through a letter addressed to Fry that he found at Deep Springs Ranch.

Foreshadowing: Fry's act of specifically giving Barry the defective extinguisher establishes him as someone with prior knowledge and intent.

• frank fry
• saboteur
• arsonist
• real culprit
• identity revealed

Charles Tobin was secretly a leader of the fifth columnists - a group of American saboteurs working against the United States during World War II. His respectable facade as a ranch owner in California provided ideal cover for his subversive activities. When Barry arrived seeking information about Fry, Tobin immediately alerted the authorities and attempted to have Barry arrested, demonstrating his commitment to protecting the sabotage network.

• charles tobin
• fifth columnists
• saboteur
• ranch owner
• traitor

Patricia Martin initially tried to turn Barry over to the authorities because she believed he was a dangerous fugitive. However, after spending time with Barry during their journey across the country and witnessing his genuine determination to clear his name, she came to believe in his innocence. Philip Martin, her blind uncle, also instinctively sensed Barry's honesty, which helped sway Patricia's opinion. Her trust was further reinforced when she saw Barry genuinely trying to stop the saboteurs rather than join them.

Foreshadowing: Philip Martin's immediate belief in Barry's innocence, despite being blind, foreshadows Patricia's eventual change of heart.

• patricia martin
• barry kane
• trust
• alliance
• character development
• hostage

Soda City served as a critical waypoint in the saboteurs' network - it was an abandoned ghost town that provided hidden shelter and a meeting point for the group. The telegram Barry obtained revealed that Fry planned to flee there, which is how he and Patricia eventually tracked down the saboteurs' hideout. From Soda City, the saboteurs arranged transportation for Barry to New York City, using the remote location to conduct their operations away from prying eyes.

• soda city
• ghost town
• saboteur hideout
• fugitive
• network

The saboteurs targeted the U.S.S. Alaska battleship during its christening at Brooklyn Navy Yard as part of their larger mission to sabotage American wartime efforts. By destroying a newly christened battleship, they would deal a significant blow to U.S. naval power and morale. The saboteurs planned to pose as newsreel photographers to gain close access to the ship, then plant explosives during the ceremony.

• u.s.s. alaska
• battleship
• brooklyn navy yard
• christening
• sabotage plot
• bombing

When Barry learned of the saboteurs' plan to bomb the U.S.S. Alaska during its christening, he created a diversion by pulling the fire alarm at Mrs. Sutton's mansion. This caused chaos and confusion, allowing Barry to escape from the mansion where he was being held. The alarm also drew attention away from the saboteurs, disrupting their timeline and giving Barry the opportunity to reach the Navy Yard and thwart their bombing attempt before the ship was destroyed.

Foreshadowing: Barry's quick thinking with the fire alarm mirrors his earlier attempt to use the fire extinguisher, showing his resourcefulness under pressure.

• fire alarm
• diversion
• escape
• navy yard
• bomb plot
• quick thinking

Frank Fry fled to the Statue of Liberty as a desperate attempt to escape from Barry Kane, who was pursuing him relentlessly. After Barry convinced the police to pursue Fry, and Pat had contacted the FBI, Fry's options were running out. He climbed to the Statue of Liberty's torch in a final bid to evade capture, but the climb proved futile as Barry followed him up and a struggle ensued.

• frank fry
• statue of liberty
• escape
• final chase
• fbi

Frank Fry met his death while attempting to escape across the Statue of Liberty's outstretched hand. As Barry tried to capture him alive, Fry's sleeve caught on the statue's torch and tore, causing him to lose his grip. Fry fell to his demise beneath the iconic statue. Barry attempted to save him by grabbing his hand, but the fabric gave way, and Fry plummeted to his death, ending the film with a dramatic and fatal conclusion.

• frank fry
• death
• fall
• statue of liberty
• climax
• capture failed

Patricia played a crucial role in bringing down the saboteurs by serving as the bridge between Barry and law enforcement. After Barry was taken to the skyscraper hideout, Patricia informed the police about the saboteurs' location, enabling them to set up a raid. She also勇敢ly followed Fry to the Statue of Liberty and contacted the FBI, ensuring that proper federal authorities were involved in the final apprehension.

• patricia martin
• police
• fbi
• tip
• assistance
• capture
• saboteurs