Special Agent (1949 film)  Special Agent is a 1949 American film noir crime film directed by William C. Thomas and starring William Eythe. is loosely based on the DeAutremont Brothers 1923 train robbery. With their farm in financial jeopardy, the Devereaux brothers, Ed and Paul, decide to rob a train. After their getaway, railroad detective Johnny Douglas arrives to investigate, with help from Lucille Peters, whose father was killed during the robbery.