The House on 92nd Street

The House on 92nd Street

Year: 1945

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Henry Hathaway

ThrillerPolitics and human rightsExciting spy thrillers with tense intrigueNazis and World War IIIntense political and terrorist thrillers

The F.B.I.’s own tense, terrific story behind the protection of the ATOMIC BOMB! The US Government tries to track down embedded Nazi agents in the States.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The House on 92nd Street (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The House on 92nd Street (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s (World War II era)

The film is set during World War II, when espionage between the U.S. and Nazi Germany was a major national concern. The central motive involves Process 97, the atomic bomb project, which heightens the stakes of every intercepted transmission. Counterintelligence work drives the narrative, with rapid interrogations and arrests shaping the wartime atmosphere. The period emphasizes urgency, secrecy, and the race to prevent sensitive information from falling into enemy hands.

Location

New York City, Long Island, Hamburg, Washington, D.C.

The story unfolds across multiple locales tied to World War II espionage. In New York City, a multi-story building on East 92nd Street hides a German spy ring behind a dress shop front. The action moves to Long Island, where a radio station channels secret information to agents abroad. The plot also takes us to Hamburg for training and Washington, D.C. as the center of FBI surveillance and counter-espionage operations.

🗽 NYC setting 🕵️ Espionage hub 🧭 WWII era

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:13

Main Characters – The House on 92nd Street (1945)

Meet the key characters of The House on 92nd Street (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bill Dietrich (William Eythe)

A university student recruited by the FBI to act as a double agent. He feigns loyalty to the German operation while feeding information to American investigators, guiding the case and testing the spies' vulnerabilities. His quick wits and calculated risk-taking help unravel the network and protect sensitive data like Process 97. He endures mistrust from Elsa Gebhardt and others, staying focused on the mission.

👤 Protagonist 🧭 Double Agent 🧠 Strategist

Agent George A. Briggs (Lloyd Nolan)

An FBI agent who orchestrates the counter-espionage operation. He recruits Dietrich as a controlled asset and uses him to expose the network. Briggs coordinates arrests, interrogations, and the overall pursuit of the spy ring, keeping the case on track with steady, methodical leadership.

🕵️‍♂️ Agent 🧭 Strategist 🧩 Investigator

Elsa Gebhardt (Signe Hasso)

A dress designer whose shop on East 92nd Street fronts the German spy ring. She exerts control over her operatives and pressures Germany for confirmation, driving the ring's actions. Her attempt to secure the final Process 97 papers—and her disguising as a man—highlight her determination, and she is ultimately killed during the climax.

🎯 Ring Leader 🕶️ Deceiver 🗺️ Operative

Charles Ogden Roper (Gene Lockhart)

A scientist working on Process 97 who becomes a crucial link for the spies. Under interrogation, he confesses to having hidden the last portion of the secret in a bookstore, enabling investigators to close the case. His expertise underscores the tension between scientific pursuit and security needs.

🧪 Scientist 🕵️‍♂️ Informant 🧭 Key Figure

Luise Vajda (Renee Carson)

A contact within the ring whose connections help link Dietrich to the network. Her involvement mediates the flow of information and ultimately aids the FBI in tracing the critical material. Her role is pivotal in turning the investigation toward its resolution.

🔗 Connector 🧭 Informant 🕵️‍♀️ Ally/Threat

Gustav Hausmann (Charles Wagenheim)

One of the German agents embedded in New York, interacting with Elsa Gebhardt and Dietrich as part of the spy ring. His presence illustrates the ring's organizational structure and the international dimension of the operation. His capture marks a turning point in dismantling the network.

🧭 Agent 🗺️ Operative 🕵️‍♂️ Ally/Enemy

Conrad Arnulf (Harro Meller)

A German spy who participates in the East 92nd Street operation, underscoring the insider threat in everyday life. His role heightens the tension and stakes of the FBI's counter-espionage efforts, reinforcing the war-time urgency of securing sensitive information.

🕵️‍♂️ Spy 🧭 Insider 🧩 Player

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:13

Major Themes – The House on 92nd Street (1945)

Explore the central themes of The House on 92nd Street (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Espionage

The plot revolves around spy networks, coded messages, and the constant threat of betrayal. A double agent navigates tensions between loyalty to the FBI and the spy ring's operatives. The drama builds as each contact could conceal a trap, demanding sharp detection and restraint. Counterintelligence efforts propel the investigation from the streets of New York to the FBI's interrogation rooms.

🗝️ Trust and Betrayal

Key relationships hinge on who possesses critical information and who can be trusted with it. The protagonist must decide when to reveal or conceal truths to outsmart the ring. Suspicion pervades the group, blurring lines between ally and adversary. A single clue acts as the key to unlocking the entire conspiracy.

⚗️ Science and Power

Process 97 frames espionage as a battle for scientific knowledge with enormous geopolitical consequences. Spies seek access to data that could shape the war's outcome, while investigators strive to secure it for their side. The narrative ties laboratory breakthroughs to real-world risk, elevating the moral stakes for all characters involved. The pursuit of technological advantage intensifies the drama and urgency.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:13

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The House on 92nd Street Summary

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The House on 92nd Street Summary

The House on 92nd Street Timeline

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The House on 92nd Street Timeline

More About The House on 92nd Street

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The House on 92nd Street (1945) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The House on 92nd Street (1945) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The House on 92nd Street (1945) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow