13 Frightened Girls


13 Frightened Girls is a 1963 Pathécolor Cold War spy film directed and produced by William Castle. Kathy Dunn stars as a teenage sleuth who finds herself embroiled in international espionage.
Castle was famous for promoting his films with gimmicks, and this one was no exception. He generated publicity by advertising for girls from 13 different countries to compete for parts as daughters of diplomats. Not all of the girls were from the countries they represented. Also, there were 15 girls in all.

Premise

After a 16-year-old girl Candy Hull develops a crush on an intelligence agent Wally Sanders, she helps him to uncover a plot against the United States.

Cast

of The New York Times noted that "The young Mata Hari is vigorously played by pretty Kathy Dunn" and suggested that the film would be a good double bill with another Columbia release, Gidget Goes to Rome. Keith Phipps of The A.V. Club called it "a fun cold war relic".

Home media

The film was released on DVD in 2009 as part of The William Castle Film Collection. Sony also released a DVD of the film by itself.