Smashing spy rings
and operating the United States'
own world-wide intelligence network
is the joint responsibility of several federal agencies
here consolidated and fictively named
the U.S. Central Bureau of Intelligence.
At home and abroad, the CBI works with maximum secrecy.
Its inspectors and special agents
supervise their units and develop their cases
from undercover field offices.
Well, what's up?
- It's uncanny how the Russians
can smell out a double agent.
We were that close to planting one of our men
at a listening post inside the Kremlin.
- Jan Hassert?
- Yeah.
Tossed off a train in Switzerland.
The director wants us to develop Boris Mitrov.
Frank, I want you to take this case.
Leave for Los Angeles as soon as you can.
- Who'll brief me? - Los Angeles.
They've had a string on Mitrov for over a year now.
And there's a break expected within the next 48 hours.
- Well, I might as well start packing.
In Los Angeles
is one of the CBI's busiest field offices.
Here, for more than 18 months,
special agents have been watching the activities
of a certain Russian-born American named Boris Mitrov.
- Boris Mitrov, born in Russia.
Well known musician and Hollywood producer.
Robert Avery has been Mitrov's assistant for about a year.
Colonel Vladimir Kubelov, nicknamed Vadja,
one of the Soviet Embassy's big shots
and ranking KGB officer in Washington.
Adrian Benson, an American multimillionaire
and his third wife, Helen Benson.
Both are Communists.
Benson's trying to buy control
of the Boris Mitrov Film Studios.
Next.
And this is Boris Mitrov's 82-year-old father.
He came from Russia aboard a Norwegian freighter
which docked in San Francisco yesterday.
- That's the break you've been expecting?
- Yes it is, Mr. Sanford.
The arrival of a gentle old man
at his son's home in Beverly Hills
is a turning point in the Mitrov case,
a case destined to evolve
into one of the most celebrated
counterintelligence operations in CBI history.
- Papa, this is Helga and Sven.
They've been waiting to make you comfortable.
- Welcome to America, Mr. Mitrov.
- Thank you. - Welcome, sir.
- Thank you.
- Sven, will you get the luggage please?
- Yes, sir. - Thank you.
- How do you do, Mr. Avery?
- Hello, Helga.
- Oh!
This is beautiful!
How many families live here with you, Boris?
- One, Papa, just us.
- Well, you mean this is all,
all yours?
- And yours.
Everything is so big.
It must cost much money to run a house like this.
- Well, in Hollywood you have to live expensively
or nobody will believe that you're successful.
That's so true.
Why don't I tell Helga to bring some tea?
Or would you rather have a drink, Bob?
- No thanks, I told Dottie I'd be home early.
I'm glad you arrived safely, sir.
- I am glad to be here.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
- I'll see you at the studio in the morning.
I'll be back in a minute, Papa.
From the layout of his house
to the identities of his associates,
the CBI already knows every detail of Mitrov's life.
Wherever the subject and his associates go,
they are covered by a squad of special agents.
- So, Papa.
- So?
My picture and your brothers', long time ago.
They disappeared,
and some of the men they worked with.
No one has heard from them.
- But they're all right, Papa.
I got word through the Russian Embassy in Washington.
- The Russian Embassy knows this?
- Yes.
- In Moscow I ask question everywhere,
even at the Kremlin.
Nobody had an answer.
- You're here and they'll be here, I promise you.
But Boris...
- Excuse me a minute, Papa.
- Well, good afternoon. - Good afternoon.
- Vadja. - Hello, Boris.
- I wasn't expecting you.
Papa, I want you to meet Vadja Kubelov.
He's been very helpful to us.
- How do you do? - It's nice to see you.
- Always a pleasure to meet my son's friends.
I hope you had a good voyage.
- Today was best of all.
Will you excuse me?
I still have to unpack.
- Oh, Sven will help you, Papa.
Did you have to come today, Vadja?
- I didn't wanna waste any more time
making our final arrangements.
To your good health, and your father's.
- Thank you for getting him here.
- You didn't think we really would, did you?
- I don't know what I thought.
I've been trying for so long.
- Well, these things are never simple.
Boris, I'm sorry that you couldn't
have just taken my word for it
instead of making it part of a deal.
The papers, by the way, are all drawn up.
We'll drive out to the Bensons' tomorrow afternoon
so you can sign them.
- What does a banker know about running a studio?
- For our purposes, he doesn't have to know very much.
- No, I suppose not.
Vadja.
- What about my brothers?
- They weren't part of our agreement.
- No, but you said you'd get them over
as soon after my father arrived as it was possible.
- Well, we'll discuss it some other time.
- We'll discuss it now.
- Oh Boris, we're friends in spite of all this business
but surely you must know by now
that I can't put that ahead of my work.
If you want to help your brothers, you can.
It all depends entirely on your future work for us.
To your brothers.
An invisible electronic beam
directed against the window pane
enables agents to record conversations
taking place inside.
Vadja.
- Hello, Helen darling.
- And you're Boris Mitrov.
Vadja's told us so much about you.
And this is my husband, Adrian.
- How do you do?
- Vadja. - Adrian.
- Well, make yourselves comfortable
and I'll see we get something to drink.
Let me help you?
- Sit down.
Well, I'm glad we're finally
going to get these famous papers signed.
- I'm sure you are.
I suppose you intend to make changes
in the operation of the studio?
- As many as necessary to integrate my work for Vadja
into the framework of an established company,
so that I can operate with greater security.
- How far can Boris be pushed?
- Well, he has no choice now that his father is here.
If we can get him to come along willingly,
I think he'll be very useful.
- You do all those things
and you'll wreck the company and me!
My reputation's been built on hard work
and I intend to keep it that way.
Of course, it's your reputation we're buying.
- Well, gentlemen, I hope you're through talking business.
It's time to relax.
Oh Boris, we're so glad
that you've come in with us at last.
Let's drink to our new venture.
What would you like?
- Well, it's a bit early but, oh, scotch will do.
Week after week, outside and inside,
agents watch the studio whose control
Boris has been forced to give up to Benson.
- Testing, one, two, three.
Does anybody read me?
Mr. M just entered the studio.
- All right, thanks.
Mr. Sanford, that was Agent Johnson reporting in, sir.
Mr. M just went into the studio.
- Fine, are we ready?
- Well, as soon as we hear anything in there
we flip the switch and she rolls.
- You're an hour late.
What happened?
- We'll never get this picture done.
Everything's going wrong.
- I've seen you weather tougher storms than this.
- I've had something on my mind lately.
It's nothing to do with the work.
- You haven't noticed what's been going on, have you?
Benson's fired most of our best men,
slowed down production, and I don't know what else.
Why did you sell out, Boris?
The company was doing all right.
- There was still more going out than coming in.
- You could cut down on expenses, you know.
- How?
- Well, stop giving so many parties.
- Once you've lived a certain way for a long time,
you forget how to cut down.
- It isn't just the money, is it?
- No, it isn't just the money, Bob.
Hello, Helga, is my father there?
Look, Papa, I may be a little late for dinner tonight
so don't you worry.
It's just business.
All right, Papa, bye bye.
- Boris? - Yes.
- I'm letting Avery go
and hiring an office manager of my own.
You're to be in New York the day after tomorrow.
- You can't come in here and give me orders like that.
- They're Vadja's orders.
He told me if you were reluctant
to remind you of his promise about your brothers.
- There's a man I wouldn't trade places with
for anything you can name.
Thanks, Joe.
As the case becomes hotter,
the Bensons' house is surreptitiously spotted
from top to bottom with electronic eavesdropping devices,
for in the cutthroat game of international espionage
the CBI can resort to methods not permissible
for ordinary law enforcement agencies.
Darling, where have you been?
- Why did you have to wake me up?
Why don't you wake up the whole neighborhood?
- But I've been looking for you.
Weren't we supposed to have dinner at the club?
- I had to take Vadja to the plane.
- Oh.
Where are you going?
- To New York, on a special mission for Vadja.
- With Vadja is probably more like it.
- Don't be ridiculous!
You've never criticized Vadja's orders before.
- How long will you be away?
- Well, that depends upon Vadja, doesn't it?
In New York, Boris knows he must wait
for word from Vadja.
Any attempt to communicate directly
would violate a fundamental rule of espionage.
- Would you like some tea, Papa?
- I'd like a little rest first.
- All right.
- This is his room.
- Mr. Mitrov? - Yes.
- My name is Frank Sanford, special agent.
United States Central Bureau of Intelligence.
This is Inspector Jenkins, also with the CBI.
- Please.
After you.
- Your father came in with you.
Where is he?
- In his room, resting.
Won't you sit down?
May I offer you gentlemen a drink?
- No, thank you.
- We're going to show you some photographs, Mr. Mitrov.
- Well, have you anything to say?
- What can I say?
If I tried to explain,
you probably wouldn't believe me anyway.
- We'll listen.
- It's hard to know where to begin.
It all happened so gradually.
- Vadja... - Vladimir Kubelov.
- Yes.
When I first met him...
- How long ago was that?
- About 10 years ago.
Look, I know it's not very popular to like Russians,
especially someone connected with the Soviet Embassy,
but I was born a Russian.
I know they're not all bad.
- Nobody with any intelligence thinks they are.
But it happens you're not talking about just any Russian.
This man is the Soviet Chief of Espionage
for the United States and Canada.
- I didn't know that then.
- I don't believe you're gonna see much more of him.
The state department is asking Moscow to recall him
because of his affair with Mrs. Benson.
- His successor is liable not to be as generous.
Your income's liable to take a big drop.
- I never accepted any money from Kubelov.
- You took everything else:
Expensive presents, dinners, champagne,
cases of liquor, caviar by the pound.
These things cost money.
- They had nothing to do with it.
They were gifts.
- Gifts in return for writing letters
of introduction to people you knew in Europe,
letters certifying that the bearers were talent scouts
employed by your company.
- I don't see any harm in that.
- What about your personal introductions here,
introducing Communist agents to prominent people you knew?
That wasn't harmful either?
- I was in so deep.
- Deep enough to allow your business
to be used as a cover up for espionage?
- That's the price they were asking
for allowing my father to come to America.
- You have an answer for everything, haven't you?
I'm sure you'll have one for why you came to New York
on their orders once your father was safely here.
- My brothers weren't safe.
- In other words, you were perfectly willing
to betray your country to help your family.
- Look, it's like I said before.
It all happened so gradually.
Look, I'm not going to defend what I did.
- You can't.
Mr. Mitrov, do you know the penalty
for having collaborated with espionage agents?
- It's not something you like to let yourself think about.
You better start
thinking about it right now.
- Am I under arrest?
- We came here today only to talk with you.
- Why?
- Because you can be useful to us.
- Why, I don't understand.
- It's very simple.
You're valuable to the Russians
because of your position and contacts.
You're valuable to us for different reasons.
You're Russian-born, you speak the language fluently,
and they trust you a little
because of what you've done.
- What is it you want me to do?
- After you've had time to think this over,
we'll talk again.
Don't bother, we know the way.
- Boris.
- You heard? - Yes.
I think they meant me to.
So finally it has been put into words.
They've said what I tried so hard
not to let myself even think.
- Apparently you didn't try hard enough.
But you thought it just the same.
- Oh Boris, I am not a fool.
I wondered why a man like myself
who for years had been what the Soviets call
an enemy of the people should suddenly be
the one person in town who gets food parcel from America
and money and other special privileges.
But I stopped wondering when I was given
the permit to leave Russia.
Then I knew what it must be.
Oh Boris, how could you do it?
How could you?
- Not how, why.
And I'll tell you why.
For you, for you and my brothers.
- You had no right to decide for us!
- I had no right to save your lives?
- No!
Nothing what could have happened to me in Russia
would be as bad what I have overheard today in this room.
- That's enough!
I don't ask you to be grateful.
All I ask is that...
- All you ask me to tell you what you did is good.
Well, Boris, I will not say this to you.
- Who are you, anyway?
God sitting in judgment?
What would you have done had it been my brothers and me?
How does anyone know until they have to face it?
- Oh Boris, I am not judging you.
I am an old man.
I have only a few more years at best.
You have a lifetime, a whole lifetime,
but you made a mistake.
Your brothers are dead.
No matter what lies they tell you,
I know they were killed because they had courage.
They spoke out against tyranny.
I would have been killed too,
but I was so old it was easier
just to let me starve to death.
- They're not dead.
They're not dead!
- They are dead.
By tapping telephones,
the CBI learns that Vadja has asked Boris
to meet him on a sightseeing boat.
Equipping a squad of special agents
with ingeniously disguised shortwave transmitters,
the bureau sends them along as tourists.
This may enable them to find out
what actually transpires between Boris and Vadja.
- How are you today?
- All right.
From trucks along the shore,
as well as from a small craft following,
agents keep the sightseeing boat within radio range.
- Vadja, did you really want me here in New York
or was this Benson's idea?
- It doesn't matter.
If my plan works out,
Benson won't be having many more ideas.
What do you mean?
Never search for a meaning.
Just do as you're told.
- But who am I working for?
- From now on, directly with me.
I want you to go on giving parties,
big, lavish parties people really enjoy.
We'll foot the bills.
I want a number of, how shall I say,
colleagues to have the opportunity
or mingling with influential Americans,
making contacts on a social level.
Outwardly these affairs will be
to inspire mutual confidence
to promote Soviet-American friendship.
- Well, parties are no problem for me.
- I know that.
The point is, I have a new man coming in this week.
I want you to give a party
and invite him and Helen Benson.
- Well, it's my father's birthday on Friday.
He'll be 83.
I was planning on giving a small cocktail party.
- That's perfect.
Invite them both to that.
- All right.
Vadja, I have something rather distressing to tell you.
You're going to be recalled, to Moscow.
- Thanks.
I appreciate you telling me.
I'll take care of it.
- Bye.
Tapes of everything recorded
go to 6665th Avenue,
one of the CBI's undercover field offices in New York.
You're going to be recalled, to Moscow.
- Mr. M is here.
- Send him in.
- Good afternoon.
- Mr. Mitrov, come in and sit down.
- Thank you.
- Well, how do you feel about your situation?
- Well, I'm very grateful for the chance you're giving me.
- No one said anything about giving you a chance, Mitrov.
We're making a deal.
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way.
- Okay.
Now the main thing you've got to remember
is that if there's any noticeable change
in your attitude toward them,
it could be extremely dangerous.
- Well, I thought of that when I met with Vadja
on the excursion boat yesterday afternoon.
- Oh?
What took place at that meeting?
- Well, he told me he wanted me
to work directly with him from now on.
- But what did you tell him?
- That he was being sent back home.
- Why did you do that?
- Well, I figured maybe you wanted me to.
Certainly you're aren't trusting me with any secrets.
- Did you tell him where you found this out?
- I made up a story about having dinner
with some state department people
who thought it very funny
that the First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy
was being sent all the way back to Moscow
for having committed adultery in Washington.
- Of course, we only have your word
that that's what you said.
- Oh, but it's true.
- I hope so, for your sake.
Mr. Sanford will tell you about the plans we've made.
- It's been arranged for you to go to Berlin.
- What?
- Ostensibly to produce documentary films
for the United States government.
- Send him in.
We're assigning a special agent to go with you.
We know you'll find him helpful, up to a point.
- Special Agent Avery.
- Hello, Boris.
- Is there anything more you want from me?
- Not now, just be ready to leave on a minute's notice.
- Good afternoon, gentlemen.
- Goodbye, Mr. Mitrov.
- Good afternoon, Mr. Mitrov.
You gonna be able to handle this all right?
- I don't know, I'll work it out somehow.
- Remember, Avery, a double agent means double danger.
- Yes, sir, I realize it.
- That Mitrov's been a fast talking showman all his life.
I'm still never sure when the actor stops.
- He's playing it safe.
Everything he's done so far
strengthens his position on both sides.
- Well, it's a beautiful jacket.
- I'm glad you like it.
- Oh yes, it's so American.
That's what I like.
- You're lookin' very young today, Papa.
- Oh, I feel young.
- Mr. Mitrov? - Yes.
- A Mr. Avery is here to see you, sir.
- Bob Avery here? - Yes.
- Well, tell him to come right in.
- No.
I'll see him myself.
Excuse me, Papa.
You wanted to see me?
- Yes, Boris, I wanted to tell you how,
well, I came to tell you
that we're leaving tonight for Berlin.
- All right, I'll be ready.
- Boris, if we're gonna be working together
it'd be a lot easier if we could go on being friends.
- Sanford and Jenkins aren't very friendly toward me.
Why should you be?
- I know you better.
I saw it all happening, and,
well, they don't understand you as well as I do.
- Come have some coffee.
Papa's anxious to see you.
And thanks, Bob.
Under the surface
of Papa Mitrov's birthday party,
there goes on a deadly game of espionage
and counterespionage.
- Helen, how nice of you to come.
- How nice of you to ask me.
Have you met Mr. Victor Darvas?
- How do you do?
- It's a pleasure. - How do you do, sir?
- Come along and meet my father.
- Thank you.
- Oh, Mr. Darvas, may I present General Everson.
- General Everson, Mr. Darvas. - General.
- Papa, may I present Mrs. Benson.
- How do you do? - How do you do?
- Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Mr. Foy.
- Hello.
- Helen, it's important I get in touch with Vadja.
Something unusual has happened.
- This is a party for my Boris too, you know.
He's leaving tonight to make some pictures in Germany
for the American government.
Bon voyage.
- Thank you, Papa.
- Oh, that's wonderful.
- Keeping the B-58s tonight?
- Yes, sir.
The Pentagon's writing off a long-range bomber entirely.
- Boris, this is very serious.
- I know, but I only got the call this morning.
It's an emergency.
The man they were sending was suddenly taken ill.
I could hardly refuse.
- No, I don't suppose you could.
Of course, this spoils Vadja's plans
for working with you.
- I had no way of reaching him to tell him.
- I think Vadja should know about it at once.
Would you be able to take care of Mr. Darvas
if I were to slip out quietly?
- Oh yes.
Besides, there's some other people I want him to meet.
Don't you worry about that.
- All right.
And Boris, if I shouldn't be able to reach Vadja
before you leave, where can he find you?
- In Berlin, Hotel Amzoo.
- Hotel Amzoo.
- Yes. - Amzoo.
All right.
Oh, and if I don't see you, best of luck.
- Thank you.
- Helen.
- Vadja.
Didn't you tell Boris
that he was to work here in New York directly with you?
- Of course. - Well, he's going to Berlin
to make some official films for the government.
- Why hasn't he told me?
- Well, he says he didn't know himself
until this morning, and...
Where are you going?
To Moscow, my dear.
I've been recalled.
- Recalled?
- On charges of scandalous conduct.
The embassy thinks your charming husband
complained about us to the state department.
- Oh, Vadja, you frighten me.
I can't believe it.
- Don't worry, Helen.
He's made his last mistake,
and I'll take up the matter of Boris going to Berlin
as soon as I get home.
- Vadja.
You must take me with you.
You can't make me stay here with Adrian.
You won't, will you?
You can't, you can't.
Back in California,
badly shaken by the news about Vadja,
Helen Benson finds another shock awaiting her at home.
- What is this?
- Microphones.
In here.
Here.
The lamps, everywhere.
In the studio, in my office,
every room in the house.
Look at this, a transmitter.
Even the cars were wired.
- How did you find out?
- A microphone detector, I bought it.
The Secret Service must know everything
about everybody, even Vadja.
Why didn't you leave?
- I couldn't leave without you.
Let's get outta here.
We still have a chance if we can stick together.
Knowing well that federal authorities
have collected enough evidence
to convict them and all their associates,
including Boris Mitrov,
the Bensons decide to make for the border
and seek asylum in Mexico.
- Your license, please. - Oh.
- Benson. - That's right.
- Hold it here, please.
- We'll never make it.
- It's just a spot check.
We're both American citizens.
They can't hold us, unless they've been alerted.
- The way you alerted the state department?
- What are you talking about?
- Didn't you complain to them about Vadja and me?
- Any complaints I have to make about Vadja
and his phony friend Boris Mitrov
I'll take directly to Moscow.
- Los Angeles?
This is Tijuana.
I have the Bensons outside.
To arrest the Bensons at this stage
would create headlines.
Moreover, it would make impossible
an audacious plan the CBI is counting on
to score a major victory against Soviet espionage
by sending Boris Mitrov into the Kremlin
as an American counterspy.
- Sorry I kept you waiting.
You may go now.
- Thank you.
Overnight, the Mitrov case shifts
to West Berlin, still a free world metropolis
though completely surrounded by Communist East Germany
and Soviet East Berlin.
As the chief avenue of escape to freedom
for millions of Germans fleeing communism,
West Berlin is inevitably a center of intrigue
and undercover work.
Operating here are agents of four Soviet controlled
Russian, Czech,
Polish, and East Germany's newly organized
secret police, the MSS.
At West Berlin's Tempelhof Airport,
Boris and Avery are met by the German production manager
for the Mitrov film project.
He is Hans Grunwald,
rumored to be a former Gestapo stool pigeon.
- This is Bob Avery, my assistant.
- How do you do?
- I have a car here for you
and I've left the shooting schedule
of our first picture at your hotel.
- That's "The Spirit of West Berlin"?
- That's right. - I like the script.
It should make many tourists want to come here.
- Oh good, we hope so.
The Hotel Amzoo is on the Kurfurstendam,
the Fifth Avenue of Berlin.
- It's Mitrov all right.
- From now on it's four on, four off.
- Hello. - Morning, sir.
- I'm Mr. Mitrov. - Sir?
- Herr Mitrov? - Yes.
- I'm the manager.
- Welcome. - How do you do?
- Your apartment's on the fifth floor.
I hope you find it comfortable.
- I'm sure we will, thank you.
Thank you very much for meeting us at the airport.
Oh, and I'd like the production conference
- at 9:30 in the morning. - Very well.
Is there anything further I can do
- to help you get settled? - No, thank you.
- We'll see you at the studio. - Right.
- You know, it's kind of an odd feeling
not knowing what you're going to be doing next.
- Other than making pictures,
we're not going to do anything except wait
until they make a move.
- Suppose they don't?
- They will.
But in the meantime, I think I'd better
fill you on what you have to know.
- Which is practically everything.
- Sometimes the less you know, the better.
There's one thing, however.
If I'm not around and you want to get word
to our firm, you write out the message
and you drop it in this box.
Now.
Pushing and pulling this knob
signals that there's a message to be picked up.
It's two way switches.
It works the same in case
they want to get in touch with us.
- But why all this rigamarole?
- It's safer.
We try never to come face to face
with any of our own people.
- You mean, I can't betray anyone I don't know,
is that it?
- No, no, no, no, you mustn't think that at all.
It's standard operating procedure
and it applies to everybody.
- I'm sorry.
You know, for someone who's just arrived,
you seem to know this place pretty well.
What kind of a hotel is this?
- Well, I think our company works closely
with the management here,
but that's a subject we never discuss.
With Boris still awaiting word
from Vadja Kubelov, work at the studio
begins on schedule.
But then the trouble starts.
Boris and Avery feel themselves
under constant surveillance,
and in production many problems and delays
suggest one thing, sabotage.
- No.
Nobody hurt.
- Second accident this week.
Whose carelessness?
We lose another half day.
- I'll fire the man responsible.
- You're the production manager, aren't you?
Then you're the man responsible.
You either get the job done properly
or I'll get somebody who can.
Stop standing around.
Get back to your place!
- You were a little rough on him, weren't you, Boris?
Accidents happen.
- I never have liked him.
I know that man.
Herr Hartmann.
Isn't that Otto Bergman?
- Yes, he's a wonderful old man.
- Good violinist. - Of course he is.
When did he come on the set?
- Grunwald hired him yesterday.
- About the only good thing he's ever done.
- Otto. - Boris!
- Otto Bergman. - Boris.
- It's so good to see you.
How long has it been?
- Years and years.
I've seen you before,
but I didn't want to disturb you.
- Disturb me?
Come, we'll have some coffee.
In West Berlin,
a tiny island in a sea of communism,
it is prudent to be wary of all strangers.
- Thank you very much. - You're welcome.
- So.
Tell me, what's been happening to you?
- They call me Lucky Otto.
I survived Hitler's concentration camp,
and now I escaped from the Communists in East Germany.
Otto, if there's anything I can do to help.
- There is.
Have Grunwald fired.
- What?
Why?
- Grunwald works for the Russian secret police.
I know it, and so does some of the crew.
Boris and Bob Avery
regularly keep an eye on West Berlin's nightclubs
with occasional visits to the Resi,
a popular dance hall.
The Resi is an ideal place
for making unobserved contacts.
Guests may telephone anonymously to other tables
and also communicate by a pneumatic tube.
- Hello?
Yes?
Who?
Mr. Mitrov?
Yes, just a minute.
An admirer of yours at one of the other tables.
A lady, and she knows your name.
That's a great system.
Hello?
Yes.
Yes, she does.
In Washington?
Yes, of course.
I'll be delighted, thank you.
- Mr. Mitrov, how nice to see you.
- It's a pleasure.
You said on the phone that we had met in Washington
and that you knew my brothers?
- We've never met, Herr Mitrov.
I merely mentioned them to simplify matters.
You are to come with me.
- Where are we going?
- To East Berlin, if you have no objection.
- No, please.
Just before dawn,
Boris Mitrov disappears through the Brandenburg Gate
into Soviet East Berlin.
- Herr Mitrov.
Herr Mitrov.
Yes, yes, Your Honor.
- You are a witness in the trial of Otto Bergman.
Do you declare yourself as willing to tell the truth?
- Yes, of course, but I don't understand.
- The prisoner has been accused of crimes
against the people of the German Democratic Republic.
Other witnesses have already testified.
- I've known this man for a long time
- but I don't think that... - Do not think.
Just tell me, did the prisoner tell you
of a plan to sabotage your film?
- No, no, he did not.
- Did he or did not say that your production manager,
Hans Grunwald, works for the Russian secret police?
- Does he?
- Did he or did he not say it?
As well as admitting he was a member
of a secret organization responsible
for the accidents on your set?
- Boris.
For god sakes, help me!
- Yes.
- Thank you.
Otto Bergman, I find you guilty of conduct
endangering the security of the German Democratic Republic.
- Where are we going now?
- One of our officials is waiting for you.
- Yes?
Where?
Right.
- How do you do, Mr. Mitrov?
My name is Rosnova.
Sit down.
Colonel Kubelov needs your help in a delicate matter.
- Colonel Kubelov is in Berlin?
- That does not concern you.
- What does he want?
- My government plans to invite 50 prominent Americans
to go to Moscow.
They'll be guests of the state
and able to travel wherever they please.
Colonel Kubelov would like you
to have the names checked.
- Well, what kind of a check?
- All of them are supposed to admire Soviet achievements.
We want to know if this is so.
- Any reason why these particular people were chosen?
- Mr. Mitrov, we don't want to waste champagne
and caviar on those who only pretend to like us.
- Well, let me think.
I have a friend who does legal research for my scripts.
It may take time, but she'll get the facts.
- Good.
I will tell Colonel Kubelov.
You're at the Hotel Amzoo?
- That's right.
- Your room number?
- 509.
When you're ready, call this number in West Berlin.
They'll arrange for us to meet.
Back in West Berlin,
it becomes clear to Boris and Avery
that the events in East Berlin were just one more move
in the desperate game both sides are playing.
- This is great, Boris, just great.
They must be planning to use you.
This is quite a list.
- I'm glad you're pleased.
I had to kill a man to get it.
- You didn't kill Bergman.
You know that as well as I do.
I certainly helped.
- What else could you have done?
- I could have lied!
- Look, Boris, in this business
you have to forget nearly every human feeling
except your love for your country.
Maybe you're right, Bob.
I'm beginning to see a lotta things I never saw before.
It's all so strange.
Everything you read and hear,
you just don't believe it.
And then one thing happens
and suddenly you know it's very true.
- Believe me, it is.
- Another thing I better tell you, Bob.
Ever since that day in New York
when I first had to face up
to what I'd been doing, and my shame,
and wanting to prove something to my father, myself,
I've just been going along.
- Right now let's get this list of names off to Washington.
Within minutes,
the names are automatically coded and transmitted
by shortwave teletype to Inspector Jenkins
at CBI headquarters in Washington.
- You ran these names through the files?
- Yes, sir.
None of them is a party member.
None with a criminal record.
Nothing caught our notice.
- Well, here are three that the Russians
would never let in to Moscow.
- No, why?
- Well, they all contributed large sums of money
to the counter-revolutionary movements.
- The Russians know this?
- Of course they do.
I think it's just another one
of their smart ways to test Boris.
- Teletype Avery a 200-word summary
on everything we know about all of these people.
- Good idea.
- It might impress them with Boris' resourcefulness.
If this works, Avery can proceed according to plan.
Then we'll find out for sure if we can trust Boris.
In due course,
a confidential report on the political
and financial standing and the personal habits
of every individual on Vadja's guest list reaches Rosnova.
- Hello.
- Sir. - Thank you.
- Oh, Mr. Mitrov. - Yes?
- A man from the Russian Tourist left this for you.
- Oh, thank you very much.
Invitation to Moscow to discuss cultural exchange programs.
Train ticket.
Official permit.
- So this is it at last.
- You expected it?
- Well, after the bureau sent the reports
on those 50 people they'd asked for,
it was bound to happen.
- Now what am I supposed to do in Moscow?
- I don't know.
You're a musician, Boris.
You'll have to play it by ear.
- Yeah, but...
- Anything you see or hear could be valuable.
Boris, you've got to realize
that the minute you leave here, you're on your own.
If you get into trouble, we won't even know you.
- I'm aware of that, but...
- And one more thing I've got to tell you officially.
The bureau would never force a man
to go on a job like this.
You're free to make up your own mind.
- Free.
No, I'm not.
I must go.
- I was sure you'd say that.
- Up to a moment ago, I wasn't.
Bob, if anything should happen to me,
my father will be completely alone.
- He'll be taken care of.
- Thank you.
- Well, I have a few final instructions.
- Okay, go ahead.
- This is a lighter.
It's also an electric pistol.
It fires tiny cyanide bullets.
It couldn't be more deadly.
Here, let me show you how it works.
This is the safety.
It reloads automatically.
You've got 49 slugs left.
- I'm sorry, I could never use anything like that.
- The instinct for self-preservation is pretty strong.
Now one more thing.
We need a code word to warn you
in case we learn that you're in danger.
It's gotta be something connected
with the picture business and something distinctive.
- Distinctive.
Code.
How about cinerama?
You can always use that in a wire.
- Good, cinerama it is.
From now on when you hear that word, get out,
get going, run for your life.
Ahead of Boris Mitrov lies Moscow,
capital of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Here in the largest and most important city
of the Russian motherland,
he will be on his own facing his ultimate ordeal.
Here he must keep his eyes open and his mind alert.
Everything he sees he must be ready to report,
for however unimportant it may seem to him
it may be of help to the CBI.
Boris is to arrive in Moscow
at the Belorussian station
along with travelers and tourists from Minsk
and other cities of Western Russia.
I, Boris Mitrov, am a stranger in the city
that for many years was my home.
Moscovites are my own people.
They are warm and friendly by nature.
They look happier now, better off than I remember.
I don't remember the summers being so warm.
Parts of Moscow haven't changed at all.
The Bolshoi Theatre, it will never change.
Life is so simple in the theater.
All problems are solved in three acts.
It's not so easy in real life.
Pretending you're a loyal Russian
when actually you're an American spy.
The punishment for a spy is death.
Will I betray myself?
This skyscraper is new.
Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Office.
I have an appointment here with General Nikolai Chapayev,
the director of the KGB.
I must not appear nervous.
Comrade Kubelov.
- Chapayev, may I present Boris Mitrov.
- General Chapayev. - How do you do?
- Welcome to Moscow.
I hope you had a pleasant trip.
- It was very pleasant.
- You have been away from Moscow a long time.
- And what a change.
I'm overwhelmed.
- Yes, in 40 years we have become
a colossus of civilization and progress.
- In the United States,
they think that you're preparing for war.
- Why should we have to make war on America
if we can outproduce her, blanket her economically.
We can leave her so far behind
that she will cease to be a major power.
- You believe that?
- I know it, for one reason.
Time is on our side.
From now on, it is the major duty of every agent,
especially in North America,
to build up a strong belief in Russia's invincibility.
The world must be convinced
that it is useless to oppose her, in any field.
Mr. Mitrov, presently you are working
for the American government.
- Yes, supposedly.
- Now let me ask you a question.
How is it they didn't suspect you
when you received and accepted
an invitation to Moscow?
- They wanted me to come,
on the chance I might pick up
some information of value to them.
- How are we going to know
this is not actually your purpose?
- Well, I'm unable to prove it.
By the way, I almost forgot to commend you
on the accuracy of your report
on the people we are going to invite to Moscow.
- Thank you very much.
- We eliminated the three from the guest list.
May I present my congratulations as well.
- And now we want you to enjoy
all Moscow has to offer until we are ready to talk again.
I will see you soon.
- Thank you, goodbye. - Goodbye.
- Now what do you say?
- I am not sure.
Will you never stop suspecting?
- All I am sure of is one double agent
in the higher brackets will destroy us both.
Enjoy Moscow, they said,
until one of them wants me again.
For 10 years I was fooled
into believing my brothers were alive.
Every so often I see someone on the street
who reminds me of them.
Today is Tuesday.
Red Square is to the Communist
what Mecca is to the Muslim.
Day after day, the faithful line up by the thousands
to enter the shrine of international communism.
Wednesday.
Down to the Moscow metro.
Passengers get a daily preview here
of the lavish splendor promised
for the communist dreamworld of tomorrow.
Thursday.
New buildings everywhere.
Moscow is expanding in all directions.
New apartments to relieve serious overcrowding,
but many people still live three,
four, five, even more to a room.
The average Russian is more interested
in improving living conditions than in politics.
Young people who can't marry
until they can find a place to live
help in the construction
in order to be on the waiting list.
Friday.
My brothers and I used to swim at this beach
on the Moskva River.
The Russian people seem so peace-loving.
It's hard to believe they know
that their government hopes to impose communism
upon the people of the free world.
Friday, midnight.
Nikolai has sent for me.
Is this to be another test?
- Boris, we have been watching you very carefully
and I am considering to put you in charge
of several of our new American units.
- Thank you, I appreciate the trust you have in me,
sir, but honestly I don't know much
about your kind of work.
- You will be given intensive training in Moscow.
- I'm not even a member of the Communist Party.
- Under our new policy,
none of our top American agents will be.
- I'll do my best, of course.
- For your sake, it better be very good.
You know we don't deal lightly with failure
and disloyalty.
- Yes, I know.
Vadja's already told me.
- On the other hand, we always reward loyalty and success.
Haven't you found that out?
- Yes, you mean my father?
- And your brothers.
We hope to arrange for them to join him.
Of course, it will take a little time,
but we are just trying.
- Thank you.
Saturday.
I must visit Moscow University,
the tallest building in Europe.
I am told to learn more about what Nikolai calls.
Russia's master plan for world domination.
There are 17,000 students at Moscow University,
almost all studying the sciences.
They brag that the Soviet Union
now graduates three times as many qualified doctors,
scientists, and engineers as the United States.
While work is hard, tuition is free,
and all students receive a monthly paycheck.
The better the scholar, the more money he earns.
But when he graduates,
his services belong to the state.
You can almost feel the emphasis on education.
For example, 10 million Russians are studying English,
while in the United States
only about 4,000 Americans are learning Russian.
Vadja says the KGB always takes its pick
of honor students.
According to Vadja, only a very few Russians
have ever heard about the KGB's espionage school
just outside Moscow.
- Morning, Madame Pusawa.
- Good morning. - My friend, Mr. Mitrov.
- How do you do? - May we have a drink?
- You are always welcome, Colonel Kubelov.
- I wanted my friend to know about your plan.
This course is based on the theory
that every man has his limit of resistance
to feminine charm.
- And our girls are expert
at catering to the preferences and habits
of the American male.
- Now, where is this place supposed to be?
- Oh, almost anywhere in the states.
Any dive near a military base.
- But it looks so real!
- You haven't seen anything yet.
Come with me.
- Thank you very much.
- How do you do? - How do you do?
- I would like you to meet Mr. Mitrov.
Professor Vasheen.
- How do you do? - How do you do?
- These are some of our newest graduates.
They've all been issued American passports
and they will be leaving for the United States very soon.
- We expect them to feel completely integrated
in their adopted community.
Perhaps your guest would like to test them?
- Oh no, no. - Why don't you?
Well, all right.
What's your name and where were you born?
- Mary Louise Bethany.
I was born in Durham, North Carolina.
- And where does your father work?
- Daddy died when I was seven.
Mother's a librarian at Chapel Hill.
Wonderful.
Where were you born?
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
And what makes Milwaukee famous?
- Our baseball team, the Braves.
- Class dismissed.
Thank you very much.
- Pleasure.
They're so natural.
How do you do it?
- Well, it's hard work.
Reading newspapers, running motion picture film
and phonograph records over and over again
so that every inflection and mannerism
can be studied and analyzed.
We've created five nationalities,
but the American group is our largest.
Do you realize, Boris, in an emergency
every one of these students could carry in a bomb?
After all, the new models aren't much larger
than a good size grapefruit,
and they can be detonated by remote control.
Big as America is, there aren't enough Geiger counters
in the country to examine every piece of baggage.
- Well, with all these perfectly trained youngsters,
what in the world do you need an old man like me for?
And believe me, I feel very old.
In West Berlin,
the CBI gets word that the Bensons left Mexico
and have arrived in Germany,
ostensibly trying to reach Moscow.
- I'd like to find out why there's been no action
on our travel permit to Moscow.
- What is the purpose of your trip?
The real purpose.
- I'm a Communist.
When I can prove that a man in our ranks
has turned traitor, I feel it my duty to report him.
- Why don't you report him to me?
- This is a vital case.
I have to take it to the Kremlin.
- You came from Mexico.
Why didn't you apply for your permit there?
Or when you were in Copenhagen?
- I learned this person was going to West Berlin.
He'd left for Moscow before I arrived.
- Would that be Boris Mitrov?
- I told you this case must be discussed
only at top level.
- I would like to speak to Mr. Robert Avery, please.
He's with the Boris Mitrov Company.
- He can't be disturbed at the moment.
They are rehearsing.
- Oh, but it's imperative that I speak to him.
Please, tell him the name is Helen Benson.
- Helen Benson. - Yes.
- I'll see. - Thank you.
Bob, I don't know any way of getting in touch
with Vadja except through Boris.
- I'm sorry, Boris told me not to give out
his Moscow address, to anyone.
- But this is an emergency.
It's, well, not only that I want to see Vadja again,
but it's a matter of life and death,
for Boris as well as Vadja.
- Could you be more specific, Helen?
Remember, Boris and I are close friends.
And Boris and Vadja are very close friends.
That's exactly what my husband
is counting on for his scheme.
When he gets to Moscow,
he plans to destroy Vadja
by denouncing Boris as an American spy.
- I want to send a telegram to Boris Mitrov,
Hotel National, Moscow.
Imperative you arrive Berlin earliest tomorrow
for important cinerama conference.
Avery.
- The whole trouble comes from Benson's jealousy.
His emotional instability and bourgeoisie prejudice
should eliminate him from our ranks completely.
- We will eliminate both the Bensons.
- Both?
- She, too, has become expendable.
There are a great many more changes
in our American operations.
Most of our present agents
will either be transferred or put in cold storage.
- Long time I advised that.
- What good is the old-time Communist agent?
Modern espionage needs new young people,
experts in every field,
none of them to be known to be on our side
or even suspected.
- Do you have a part for me in this great new organization?
- Of course, a desk in the Kremlin
in charge of North American affairs.
- That suits me perfectly.
And who is going to run things in the United States?
- Oh, there are a number of jobs.
They are just considering several new men.
My main concern is to find a real expert
in public relations.
- What about Boris Mitrov?
He would be good.
- Of course you would say that.
You picked him.
- Hasn't he been doing very well so far?
- Maybe.
Are you very sure of Mitrov?
- If you are born a Russian,
you never stop being one.
Besides, we gave him his father.
For that he will be grateful always.
- Too bad we cannot give him his brothers, too.
- Philadelphia.
Elliott, tall and thin, gray, electronics.
- Hartford.
Simon, short, big ears, jet engines.
- Omaha.
- Gladys, blue eyes, blonde, strategic air command.
- San Francisco.
- Benjamin, bushy eyebrows, horse-faced, guided missiles.
Oscar, Pittsburgh.
Alvin, Cleveland.
Stanley, Detroit.
Hanson, Brooklyn.
John, Los Alamos.
Francine, Atlanta.
Chester, Miami.
Dora, Buffalo.
- Tired?
- No, just takes concentration.
Like learning the score of a symphony.
- Mr. Mitrov is a quick study.
He remembers names and descriptions perfectly.
- These agents are our real strengths.
Men and women who live perfectly normal lives,
nothing suspicious about them,
but all of them ready,
just waiting for the final countdown.
- I had no idea your planning was so extensive.
- Even more than you know yet.
- I feel like a walking time table.
For instance, first Tuesday afternoon,
5:00 p.m., Red Lion Pub, Beverly Hilton.
First Wednesday at noon,
cocktail lounge, US Grand, San Diego.
Thursday afternoon, writing room, Pioneer Tucson, and,
so on and so on for a month.
- I am very impressed.
- Thank you.
- Vadja made a good choice.
- I hope so.
- Incidentally, Adrian Benson and his wife
are arriving in Moscow tonight.
- Oh really?
- He made a nuisance of himself in Berlin,
so we thought it was easier to let him come here.
Well, I don't want to disturb you anymore.
Goodbye.
- Cinerama.
- I will speak to no one but the director himself.
I have important information to give him.
No, tomorrow will not do.
Yes, I'll hold.
- Adrian, for heaven sake,
don't get started on the wrong foot with him, too.
Tomorrow's time enough.
Don't push.
- Hello?
Very well, I'll call back.
Fools!
- Well, that's a fine way to talk about your superiors.
- Can't you postpone this for a few days?
- What excuse could I give?
I came here before my picture was finished
and I've already delayed my return twice.
- Suppose you don't appear?
- The government would become suspicious,
and that could be the end of my usefulness for you.
- How soon can you be ready?
- Very shortly.
It's only a preliminary meeting.
I would like to take tonight's plane.
- There isn't one.
Do you have your bags packed?
- I don't need any. - Very good.
You will leave first thing in the morning.
Vadja leaves me at the new covert airport.
Jets are taking off for everywhere, except Berlin.
The East Berlin airport is too small for a big jet,
so I must wait for a prop driven ship.
I'm thankful to get a seat on anything.
- What do you have to support your charges
against Mr. Mitrov?
- I discovered microphones in Mitrov's studio,
in his office and mine.
The whole place was wired.
American intelligence must know
of his activities for the Russian government.
Still, he was sent to Berlin and put in charge
of making films for the United States, why?
- I knew nothing of this.
- Neither do I, nor do I believe a word of it.
- Ask my wife.
- Permit?
- Everything good? - Yes, seems all right.
- Passport please. - Thanks very much.
You have papers too?
- Your name is Mitrov?
- Boris Mitrov, yes.
- Thank you.
- We are all aware that this is a personal attack.
By accusing Boris Mitrov, he hopes to compromise me.
- General Chapayev, what made me run away
from the United States
and leave my home and fortune behind?
- Adrian Benson wasn't even suspected.
- I wasn't suspected, was I?
Here's a letter from my lawyer in Los Angeles.
Read it.
We both have been secretly indicted
by a federal grand jury for treason.
He's responsible for this.
He forced me into a partnership with Boris Mitrov.
Ask Mitrov to come here.
If he'll answer my questions,
you'll be convinced he's an American counterspy.
- You two will wait outside, please.
Get me through to Rosnova in East Berlin at once.
- Where are you going?
- To catch a taxi.
I have no baggage, nothing to declare.
- Why do you have no baggage?
- Because I'm going back to Moscow on tomorrow's plane
if I can ever get outta this airport.
- May I see your passport, please?
- May I go now?
- Yes. - Thank you.
- This General Chapayev speaking.
Boris Mitrov left on the morning plane for East Berlin.
I must get him.
- Take me to West Berlin.
Can you take me to West Berlin?
- Sure. - Hotel Amzoo?
- Amzoo, okay. - Good.
- Hello?
Boris Mitrov?
Wait, I'll see.
He has just left.
- Attention.
Attention all police units.
You will arrest on sight Boris Mitrov,
an American citizen.
Here is his description.
Attention all police units.
Close every checkpoint to West Berlin.
- Turn around.
Turn around.
Stop here.
- Attention all police units.
Man answering to the description of Boris Mitrov
reported drop by taxi cab in Bernsteinsee,
between.
Car 59, investigate.
- Car 59 reporting.
Arrived at scene.
Will investigate.
Hold it!
Who are you?
- Look, I'm an American.
I wandered into East Berlin by mistake.
- Move over there.
- Look, I've got a passport.
I'd be glad to pay you
if you'd drive me into West Berlin.
- Put your hands out.
Turn around now.
All right, move.
What are you doing?
- I just wanna light my cigarette.
- Come on, get to the car.
Move!
This is Car 59, I have Boris Mitrov alive.
Your instructions, please.
- Car 59, take no chances with your prisoner.
Give me your location.
We will send you assistance.
Calling Car 59.
Car 59, what is your location?
Car 59, come in.
- Mr. Avery in?
- No, sir.
- I'm sorry, he isn't in.
Do you me to give him a message?
- Something's come up at the studio.
I have to see him.
I'll wait for him in the bar.
- Are you hurt badly?
- No. - Good, then start talking.
Report everything you saw and heard.
- What? - Just talk.
Everything we're saying is being recorded
so tell that story.
- Oh, and I memorized all the names
and faces of many agents now located
in strategic centers throughout the United States.
They are Oscar, Pittsburgh.
Alvin, Cleveland.
Stanley, Detroit.
Elliott, tall, thin, gray, electronics.
Simon, short, big ears, jet engines.
Gladys, blue eyes, blonde, strategic air command.
Benjamin, bushy eyebrows, horse-faced, guided missiles.
Hanson, Brooklyn.
John, Los Alamos.
Francine, Atlanta.
Chester, Miami.
Dora, Buf...
Bob, look out!
Even before Boris Mitrov's return
to the United States,
the significant information he obtained in Moscow
has been evaluated by bureau experts.
Some of it has arrived none too soon.
- Uncle Jack?
Uncle Jack?
Oh, Uncle Jack, I'd like you to meet Anita.
- Oh. - And this is Raymond.
- How do you do? - And George.
- How do you do, George?
- Oh, Uncle Jack!
- What is your name, please?
- My name is Mary Louise Bethany.
- Where were you born?
- Durham, North Carolina.
- We're special agents of the CBI.
You're all under arrest.
Pick up your bags, let's go out this way.
Daddy, Daddy!
In real life,
the man upon whose experiences this story
was largely based now lives quietly in New York.
For his services as a double agent
and his penetration of the Kremlin,
he has received special commendation
in the Congress of the United States.
- My son!
- It's all right, Papa, I'm fine.
- You look fine.
- I'm home.