Garibaldi-Meucci Museum to Screen THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS, 8/18

On Sunday, August 18 at 2 p.m., to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Sicily, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum will screen the 1956 English espionage film, "The Man Who Never Was." Based on the book of the same name by Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu, the film dramatizes actual events surrounding a British Intelligence plan to deceive the Axis powers into thinking that Operation Husky will take place elsewhere.

As plans get under way for the Allied invasion of Sicily in June 1943, British counter-intelligence agent Ewen Montagu, portrayed by actor Clifton Webb, masterminds a scheme to mislead the Germans into thinking they will actually be invading Greece. The ingenious plot entails locating a corpse, establishing its identity as an intelligence officer named Major Martin, and having the body discovered in the water just off the coast of Spain with letters describing the fallacious invasion. The deception is so successful that the Germans move forces away from Sicily, and two weeks into the real invasion they are still expecting an attack in Greece.

Told from Montagu's perspective, the story offers a fascinating insider look into the intricacies involved in pulling off the deception-especially in creating a persona for a man who never was-and of the duplicitous and risky nature of the profession of spying.

While failure could have had devastating results, the plan's ultimate success brought a decided change in the course of the war-the diversion of German troops to Greece has been credited by historians with playing a major part in the success of the Sicily invasion.

Admission of $10, $5 for members includes a light reception.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes. The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned by the Sons of Italy Foundation and administered by the NYSOSIA?GMM?Board of Commissioners.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation; Coccia Foundation; JP Morgan Chase Regrant in partnership with the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island (COAHSI); The Staten Island Foundation; The Lois and Richard Nicotra Foundation and by grants allocated by New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.

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