The Devil Makes Three (1952) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Eliot's return to postwar Germany leads from personal history and romance into the discovery of Heisemann's secret political ties.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Return to a Changed Germany

Eliot returns to Germany to visit the family that hid him during the war. He learns that most of the family died in an American air raid.

Key Events

• Eliot Returns to Germany — Eliot returns to postwar Germany to visit the family that hid him during the war. Characters: Jeff Eliot Location: Germany
• The Family's Fate — Eliot learns that an American air raid killed most of the family who rescued him. Characters: Jeff Eliot, Willie Lehrt Location: Germany

Willie at the Nightclub

Eliot finds Willie, the family's sole surviving daughter, working as a nightclub hostess. Although she hates Americans, Eliot manages to romance her.

Key Events

• Willie at the Nightclub — Eliot finds Willie, the sole surviving daughter, working as a nightclub hostess. Characters: Jeff Eliot, Willie Lehrt Location: Nightclub
• A Growing Romance — Eliot romances Willie despite her hatred of Americans. Characters: Jeff Eliot, Willie Lehrt Location: Nightclub

A Friendship Conceals a Secret

Eliot befriends Heisemann, a comic at the nightclub. He discovers that Heisemann has secret ties to an underground Nazi revivalist movement.

Key Events

• Eliot Befriends Heisemann — Eliot develops a friendship with Heisemann, a comic at the nightclub. Characters: Jeff Eliot, Heisemann Location: Nightclub
• Heisemann's Secret Ties — Eliot discovers Heisemann's ties to an underground Nazi revivalist movement. Characters: Jeff Eliot, Heisemann Location: Nightclub

Orders and the Berchtesgaden Chase

Eliot reports his discovery, and his superiors order him to continue his relationship with Willie to learn more about Heisemann's operation. The story's climax takes place in Berchtesgaden, where Heisemann is chased through the rubble and captured.

Key Events

• Eliot Reports His Discovery — Eliot tells his superiors about Heisemann's secret affiliations. Characters: Jeff Eliot Location: Unspecified
• Orders to Continue — Eliot's superiors order him to continue his relationship with Willie to learn about Heisemann's operation. Characters: Jeff Eliot Location: Unspecified
• Chase Through Berchtesgaden — Heisemann is chased through the rubble and ultimately faces his captors in the house's large picture window. Characters: Jeff Eliot, Heisemann Location: Ruins of Hitler's house, Berchtesgaden

Story Breakdown

• Return to Germany — Eliot comes back to the country where a family once rescued and hid him.
  • Wartime Rescue — The family had rescued and hidden Eliot after his plane was shot down over Munich.
  • Family Loss — Eliot learns that an American air raid killed most of the family.
• Willie's Survival — Willie is the sole surviving daughter and has built a life working in a nightclub.
  • Nightclub Hostess — Eliot finds Willie working as a hostess.
  • Hatred of Americans — Willie hates Americans despite Eliot's return and courtship.
• Eliot and Willie — Eliot manages to romance Willie, creating a relationship that later serves his investigation.
  • Romantic Courtship — Eliot romances Willie despite her hostility toward Americans.
  • Relationship as Cover — Eliot's superiors order him to continue the relationship to learn about Heisemann's operation.
• Heisemann's Nightclub Role — Heisemann works as a comic at the nightclub and becomes Eliot's friend.
  • Comic Performer — Heisemann is identified as a comic at the nightclub.
  • Growing Friendship — Eliot develops a friendship with Heisemann before uncovering his secret ties.
• Underground Movement — Eliot discovers Heisemann's connection to a Nazi revivalist movement operating underground.
  • Secret Affiliations — Heisemann secretly maintains ties to the underground movement.
  • Eliot's Discovery — The discovery changes Eliot's understanding of his friendship with Heisemann.
• Reporting and Orders — Eliot informs his superiors, who direct him to continue gathering information through his relationship with Willie.
  • Reports to Superiors — Eliot tells his superiors about Heisemann's operation.
  • Investigation Continues — His superiors order him to continue his relationship with Willie to learn more.
• Berchtesgaden Climax — The climax follows Heisemann through the rubble at Berchtesgaden and ends with him facing his captors.
  • Rubble Chase — Heisemann is pursued through the ruins of Hitler's house.
  • Final Capture — In the final frame described, Heisemann faces his captors in the house's large picture window.

Directed by

Andrew Marton

Key Cast

• Gene Kelly — Jeff Eliot
• Pier Angeli — Willie Lehrt
• Richard Rober — James Terry
• Richard Egan — Lt. Parker
• Claus Clausen — Heisemann