Watch Foreign Intrigue

  • 16+
  • 1954
  • 1 Season

Foreign Intrigue was a half-hour dramatic television series that first aired in 1951. The show was produced by Sheldon Reynolds, who also worked on some episodes of the popular World War II TV series, 'The Shadow'. The show lasted for five seasons, from 1951 to 1955, and aired on CBS. Foreign Intrigue follows the adventures of a fictional American detective named Peter Chaney, who operates out of Europe.

The show was one of the earliest and most successful examples of the spy genre on television. The plot typically revolved around Chaney's attempts to solve a mystery, often involving espionage, sabotage, or a hidden conspiracy of some kind. Each episode typically took place in a different European country, adding an element of travelogue to the show's appeal. The episodes were also sometimes set in exotic or unusual locations, such as a remote French chateau or an exclusive Swiss ski resort.

Chaney was played by Jerome Thor, who brought a suave, debonair quality to the role. Chaney was a man of action, always ready to use his fists or his gun when necessary, but he was also a keen observer of human nature. He had a sharp wit and a dry sense of humor, which helped him to outsmart his opponents. In many ways, Chaney was a precursor to later television spies such as James Bond and Jason Bourne.

One of the most interesting aspects of Foreign Intrigue was its use of real locations and local actors. The show was filmed on location in Europe, which gave it an authenticity that was rare for television at that time. Each episode was also populated with local actors, who added to the show's international flavor. The show's production values were high for the time, with impressive location shoots and well-staged action scenes.

The show's appeal also came from the fact that it was produced during a time when America was transitioning from isolationism to internationalism. The aftermath of World War II had made Americans aware of the importance of global politics, and Foreign Intrigue reflected this new awareness. The show's stories often dealt with issues of political and economic power, and explored the complex relationships between European countries and the United States.

Foreign Intrigue was also notable for its sophisticated writing. The show's scripts were written by some of the best writers in the business, including Robert Bloch (who would later write the novel Psycho), Richard Deming, and Harold Swanton. The show's stories were typically character-driven, and the writers took care to give each episode a unique flavor. Some episodes were tense and suspenseful, while others were more lighthearted and comedic.

Despite its success, Foreign Intrigue has largely been forgotten by modern audiences. The show was never released on DVD, and few episodes are available online. However, the show's influence can still be seen in the spy genre today, particularly in the work of writers like John le Carré and Ian Fleming. Foreign Intrigue remains an important part of the early history of television, and a testament to the enduring appeal of the spy genre.

Foreign Intrigue is a series that ran for 1 seasons (30 episodes) between February 18, 1954 and on

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Seasons
Dateline Europe: The Operating Room
35. Dateline Europe: The Operating Room
June 27, 1953
In a plot to overthrow the government of a European country, the opposition party engineers a car accident that seriously injures the prime minister. The country's greatest surgeon must operate on the prime minister, but an agent of the opposition threatens to ruin him unless he ensures that the operation fails and the prime minister dies. Robert Cannon tries to protect the doctor.
Dateline Europe: The Diamond Bullet
34. Dateline Europe: The Diamond Bullet
June 20, 1953
A beautiful fashion model, recently let out of prison after being a double-agent during the war, leads Robert Cannon on a mysterious and deadly chase involving illicit diamonds. After a hold-up on a train, Cannon is left knocked out, and the model escapes with the diamonds, which are later to be discovered hidden in bullets.
Dateline Europe: The Camera
33. Dateline Europe: The Camera
April 6, 1951
Robert Cannon's press pass to a meeting of high government officials in France nearly becomes his death warrant. The officials are planning to eliminate all anti-democracy factions. However, one of these neo-fascist groups is plotting a coup, and their plan involves using Cannon and his cameraman as their means of smuggling a destructive weapon into the government meeting.
Dateline Europe: The Coffin
32. Dateline Europe: The Coffin
May 30, 1953
Robert Cannon is given the job of escorting the body of a disinterred journalist from behind the Iron Curtain. However, he finds out that there is an ulterior motive behind the assignment, and a grim game of hide and seek begins. Cannon must smuggle out a secret along with the coffin while steering clear of the watchful eyes of the authorities.
Dateline Europe: The Stolen Bid
31. Dateline Europe: The Stolen Bid
May 23, 1953
Shocked by the brutal attack on a construction company executive, Helen Davis investigates stalled defense projects and sets out to learn the whos and whys of stolen construction bids. When she gets close to finding out the answer, she is put in danger and held at gunpoint, narrowly escaping the perpetrator.
Dateline Europe: The D.P. Camp
30. Dateline Europe: The D.P. Camp
May 16, 1953
While Robert Cannon plans a skiing trip, Helen Davis volunteers to stay behind to cover a story on displaced persons. She meets a young couple to concentrate her story on as well as the conditions they're living in at the camp. Envious of her American citizenship and privilege, the couple schemes to threaten Helen for her passport.
Dateline Europe: The Alps
28. Dateline Europe: The Alps
April 18, 1953
While snowbound in a remote French chalet, foreign correspondent Robert Cannon uncovers a chilling connection between a recent plane crash and missing Mediterranean defense plans. As he digs deeper, Cannon finds himself caught in a dangerous web of espionage, where every clue could lead to betrayal-or survival.
Dateline Europe: The French Zone
27. Dateline Europe: The French Zone
April 11, 1953
When a Nazi storm trooper escapes from prison and begins targeting French officials, foreign correspondent Robert Cannon is pulled into a tense manhunt. As tensions rise in postwar Europe, Cannon must navigate between danger and diplomacy while racing to capture the killer before more lives are lost.
Dateline Europe: The Code Room
26. Dateline Europe: The Code Room
March 14, 1953
Robert Cannon displays a newsman's characteristic of impatience when a top-secret code book goes missing. In the Code Room, the man who was decoding the book gets hit over the head, and an imposter courier steals it from him in exchange for ten million francs and a passport. Cannon, being in the same building at the time of the crime, finds himself as the chief suspect.
Dateline Europe: Linetski Forest
24. Dateline Europe: Linetski Forest
January 3, 1953
Robert Cannon reports on an international tribunal's deliberations on an alleged massacre of prisoners during the Second World War. The tribunal fails to uncover any proof of the massacre, but a nurse gives Cannon a clue to hidden evidence. Cannon must go undercover in a hospital to uncover the truth, which will affect the outcome of a general's political campaign.
Dateline Europe: Gold
23. Dateline Europe: Gold
December 20, 1952
News correspondent Steve Godfrey starts to write a story about investment agent Andrei Sokoloff, known as the "Man with the Midas Touch," whose methods are the subject of questions from financial authorities. Learning from a garrulous barber that there is more to Sokoloff's wealth than meets the eye, Godfrey risks danger by exposing Sokoloff as a swindler.
Dateline Europe: Paris
21. Dateline Europe: Paris
November 29, 1952
Robert Cannon receives an enigmatic letter from Claire Holt, a former member of the French Underground during World War II. Claire has found the man who informed on her to the Gestapo in Paris. However, after sending the letter, she learns that the man is plotting a new regime with his fellow former Nazis. The man beats Claire, who survives but does not remember anything.
Dateline Europe: Diamonds
20. Dateline Europe: Diamonds
November 22, 1952
In Amsterdam, the center of the global diamond trade, Robert Cannon's reputation for honesty puts him on the spot when the chief of police trusts him to uncover and trap an international diamond-smuggling ring that uses people like reporters as its carriers. However, the smugglers discover that Cannon is working with the police and plot to assassinate him.
Dateline Europe: The New Order
19. Dateline Europe: The New Order
November 15, 1952
After a journalist is assassinated, the assassin is double-crossed and turns to Robert Cannon for help. The assassin had been working for a neo-Nazi leader who is trying to attain power and had the journalist killed in order to cover up facts about the would-be dictator's past that would discredit him with the public. Can Cannon stop this man from becoming the new F
Dateline Europe: The Traitor
18. Dateline Europe: The Traitor
July 3, 1952
The French police are hunting Louis Grenier, a fugitive who was held responsible for triggering a Nazi massacre of 500 villagers during World War II. When Robert Cannon investigates the story, he is held hostage by Grenier, who claims that another man instigated the massacre in order to hide his own collaboration with the Nazis, and then falsely blamed Grenier to cover his tracks.
Dolores
15. Dolores
January 1, 1970
3 husbands of circus owner have died under big top.
Confidence Game
14. Confidence Game
January 1, 1970
Card game with gangsters results in murder.
Missing Official
13. Missing Official
January 1, 1970
Government official disappears before being interviewd.
Waterfront Story
12. Waterfront Story
January 1, 1970
Powers investigates smuggling and disappearance of fellow agent.
Prophet
11. Prophet
January 1, 1970
Blind man makes political predictions that threaten government.
Disaster Relief
10. Disaster Relief
January 1, 1970
Disaster relief shipment is rushed through customs.
Bridge
9. Bridge
January 1, 1970
Powers aids an underground agent trying to escape.
Plastic Surgery
8. Plastic Surgery
January 1, 1970
Power's vacation upset when bus passenger is slain._
Dateline Europe: The Letter
7. Dateline Europe: The Letter
January 10, 1952
Robert Cannon is assigned to cover the murder of a prime minister's secretary, who was killed upon discovering an attempted robbery of a sealed envelope from a high-ranking official. He discovers the drastic measures used to sway an unstable country's political affiliations, and outwits leaders in the opposition party.
International Spies
6. International Spies
January 1, 1970
Powers gambles to free friend abducted by spy ring.
Hall Of Justice
5. Hall Of Justice
November 5, 1953
Newly found democratic justice is put to the test as a powerful war criminal is tried for his crimes.
The Missing Official
4. The Missing Official
May 6, 1954
Michael Powers (James Daly) is convinced there's been foul play when an important official fails to keep a scheduled interview.
The Linetski Forest Massacre
3. The Linetski Forest Massacre
January 3, 1953
Robert Cannon (Jerome Thor) is covering an international tribunal's deliberations of a reported massacre of prisoners. Just when it appears that the court will determine there is no evidence for the alleged crime, a nurse gives Cannon a clue to hidden evidence.
The Confidence Game
2. The Confidence Game
October 21, 1954
Christopher Storm (Gerald Mohr) helps one of his guests when he gets involved in a card game with gangsters which results murder.
The Benefactor
1. The Benefactor
February 18, 1954
Michael Powers (James Daly) becomes suspicious when a disaster relief shipment is hurried through customs while checking out a small dock fire.
Description
Where to Watch Foreign Intrigue
Foreign Intrigue is available for streaming on the website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Foreign Intrigue on demand at Prime Video and Tubi TV.
  • Premiere Date
    February 18, 1954