Teheran (1946 film)
1946 British-Italian thriller film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Teheran (also known as The Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Conspiracy in Teheran and Appointment in Persia [2][3]) is a 1946 British-Italian thriller film co-directed by Giacomo Gentilomo and William Freshman.[4][2] and starring Derek Farr, Marta Labarr, Manning Whiley and Pamela Stirling.[5] A British intelligence officer, discovers a plot to assassinate the President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Tehran Conference during the Second World War.
Giacomo Gentilomo
William Freshman
Basil Mason
A.R. Rawlinson
Ákos Tolnay
Marta Labarr
| Teheran | |
|---|---|
![](#/media/File:"Tehran"_(1946_film).jpg) British theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | William Freshman Giacomo Gentilomo |
| Written by | Ákos Tolnay William Freshman Basil Mason A.R. Rawlinson |
| Produced by | John Stafford Ákos Tolnay |
| Starring | Derek Farr Marta Labarr |
| Cinematography | Ubaldo Arata (as U. Arata) |
| Edited by | Renzo Lucidi |
| Music by | Enzo Masetti |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors (UK) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom Italy |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £150,000[1] |
Plot
In 1943, Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt meet at the Tehran Conference to agree plans for the Allied invasion of Europe. Whilst attempting to trace ballerina Natalie Trubetzin, who he met before the outbreak of war, British journalist Pemberton Grant uncovers a deadly conspiracy. The plot, led by Paul Sherek, involves international arms dealers, who can't afford to, and do not wish to have peace declared, and plan to blow up President Roosevelt during his visit.
Partial cast
- Derek Farr as Pemberton Grant
- Marta Labarr as Natalie Trubetzin
- Manning Whiley as Paul Sherek
- Pamela Stirling as Haali
- Philip Ridgeway as Mr Razed
- John Warwick as Maor "Mack" MacIntyre
- John Slater as Maor Sergei Soviesky
- MacDonald Parke as Major Wellman
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The story, told by flash-backs, is disjointed, melodramatic with many loose ends, but has its exciting moments. Marta Labarr is wooden and scarcely attractive as the ballet dancer and the rest of the cast seem unable to believe in the unbelievable plot."[7]
Picturegoer wrote: "The characters are stock, the Russian, British and American intelligence services are treated with scant respect. The main point in an otherwise undistinguished production is the acting of Manning Whiley as Paul Sherak."[8]
Picture Show wrote: "Competently acted, conventionally directed. Authentic settings."[9]
The Radio Times called the film a "shambolic British thriller."[10]
TV Guide wrote, "Whiley's performance alone provides some semblance of acting, and the technical end is almost totally incompetent."[11]
Allmovie wrote, "Even though the audience knows the outcome, there's thrills aplenty in The Plot to Kill Roosevelt."[3]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Second-rate pot-boiler."[12]