In Cold War London, young American Melinda Greyton marries British Army Major Michael Curragh, who is a Communist spy working for the Soviets.In Cold War London, young American Melinda Greyton marries British Army Major Michael Curragh, who is a Communist spy working for the Soviets.In Cold War London, young American Melinda Greyton marries British Army Major Michael Curragh, who is a Communist spy working for the Soviets.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
979
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- Sally Benson(screenplay)
- Gerard Fairlie(adaptation)
- Humphrey Slater(novel)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Sally Benson(screenplay)
- Gerard Fairlie(adaptation)
- Humphrey Slater(novel)
- Stars
Videos1
Wilfrid Hyde-White
- Lord Pennistoneas Lord Pennistone
- (as Wilfred Hyde-White)
Michael Dear
- Alredas Alred
- (uncredited)
Edna Morris
- Mrs. Parrishas Mrs. Parrish
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Sally Benson(screenplay) (adaptation)
- Gerard Fairlie(adaptation)
- Humphrey Slater(novel)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
On a visit to London, eighteen-year-old American Melinda Greyton (played by seventeen-year-old Brit Dame Elizabeth Taylor) goes to her first party, a Regimental ball. There she meets and falls madly in love with Major Michael Curragh (Robert Taylor), a handsome bachelor who returns her affections. After a relatively short period of time, they marry and all is bliss. Michael has some peculiar habits such as when he gets upset when Melinda sends an old overcoat out for cleaning, or when she takes a few one pound notes from his wallet. In fact, Michael is a Communist spy and has been a member of the Party since he was in school. When Melinda finally realizes just what and who he is, she tells him to choose between her or his beliefs. He tells her he'll leave the Party, but it's all a ruse. He does love his wife, however, and when his spy masters tell him Melinda must be done away with, he faces the ultimate choice. —garykmcd
- Taglines
- The Man She Loved Was A Traitor, Sworn To Kill Her!
- Genres
- Certificate
- Approved
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaRobert Taylor, though American, played an Englishman, while Dame Elizabeth Taylor, English, played an American. She had unhappy memories of making this movie, later claiming that Taylor had made clumsy efforts to seduce her, despite the fact that she was a minor.
- GoofsBoth times Melinda Greyton is asked her age, her mouth says "seventeen", but her voice says "eighteen". The script must have been changed in post-production because of the controversy over difference between Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Taylor's ages.
- Quotes
Melinda Greyton: Joyce, look. I've never seen anyone like him. Never.
Joyce: Do you think he's attractive?
Melinda Greyton: Ferociously!
- ConnectionsFeatured in Some of the Best: Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture Leadership (1949)
Top review
Some things to like
I hate the word "dated", because it can only sensibly apply to a work in which the characters or plot don't reflect the era.
So, actually, what most of the internet educated IMDb users claim to be "dated" are often the only films not "dated". "Dated" means watching a movie about Wyatt Earp, and getting the feeling he has played video games instead of thinking about local events.
Here, we have a film that is definitely not dated. It deals with a handsome Communist spy who has to work his dealings around his personal life.
Robert Taylor's character is very credible, and multi dimensional. If this movie was made by one of the beavis and buttheads of today, he'd simply kill everyone who coughed when he told a lie. Yes, you're right. This would mean the world population would be zero humans within a month, and it makes no sense.
Here, in "Conspirator", he is a real person, and so is his wife, who is onto him. In dramatic style, they still want to work their relationship, and honestly, this is what people do, when they find something out about each other. Real people don't murder each other each time they find out a secret about each other.
We're shown early that the pace of the film skips over minor details, which modern writers deem so important. In one sense, some would say that "dates" this film, since it is more plot oriented, more Shakespeare than Tennessee Williams. Intricacies aren't explored as much. We're given the story line and the story, and the length of the movie allows for that.
Is it completely perfect? I don't think so. However, the characters are more credible for the time than people today can handle, so it probably isn't safe to show friends. People will have a problem with the iconoclastic attitude towards today's "everyone is a psychotic killer" philosophy.
So, actually, what most of the internet educated IMDb users claim to be "dated" are often the only films not "dated". "Dated" means watching a movie about Wyatt Earp, and getting the feeling he has played video games instead of thinking about local events.
Here, we have a film that is definitely not dated. It deals with a handsome Communist spy who has to work his dealings around his personal life.
Robert Taylor's character is very credible, and multi dimensional. If this movie was made by one of the beavis and buttheads of today, he'd simply kill everyone who coughed when he told a lie. Yes, you're right. This would mean the world population would be zero humans within a month, and it makes no sense.
Here, in "Conspirator", he is a real person, and so is his wife, who is onto him. In dramatic style, they still want to work their relationship, and honestly, this is what people do, when they find something out about each other. Real people don't murder each other each time they find out a secret about each other.
We're shown early that the pace of the film skips over minor details, which modern writers deem so important. In one sense, some would say that "dates" this film, since it is more plot oriented, more Shakespeare than Tennessee Williams. Intricacies aren't explored as much. We're given the story line and the story, and the length of the movie allows for that.
Is it completely perfect? I don't think so. However, the characters are more credible for the time than people today can handle, so it probably isn't safe to show friends. People will have a problem with the iconoclastic attitude towards today's "everyone is a psychotic killer" philosophy.
helpful•53
- drystyx
- Nov 10, 2011
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,832,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 27 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content

Recently viewed
Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.