Enemy Agents Defect for Love in Classic Movies


"An enemy agent defects for love" is a standard movie plot that has been around for a long time.  Omnia Vincit Amor, or some such thing. Often, though, the defector also has a hidden affinity for silk, chocolate, baseball, bubblegum, apple pie, freedom, etc. - that which is more widely available in the nation state that the hero of the film represents.

Often in films made during the early- to mid-20th century, it's a guy who wins over a female enemy agent.The man is played by a handsome, powerful movie star known for his romantic or dramatic acting chops.



If you're in the mood for classic movies about defectors, here are a few to start you off:

  • Melvyn Douglas' singular charms win over Greta Garbo, a high-ranking official, in the award-winning film Ninotchka (1939). 
  • Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse remake Nintochka as a musical in Silk Stockings (1957).

  • John Wayne's strapping presence is enough to make Janet Leigh forget her advancing career as a pilot for the other side in Jet Pilot (1957).

  • Dirk Bogarde and Sylva Koscina both contemplate giving it all up for love in the serio-comic spy film Hot Enough for June (1964) (aka Agent 8 3/4).

What are your favorite classic defector movies?


2 Comments:

  1. "Nitnotchka" is my fave, hands down.

    It's been some years since I've seen "Green Card" with Andie MacDowell and Gerard Depardieu, but at the time I thought it was quite charming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never heard of "Green Card." I must look that up. Thanks. :)

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