Malaya (1949): Cast & Plot
Malaya is a 1949 adventure drama directed by Richard Thorpe, starring James Stewart as John Royer, Spencer Tracy and Lionel Barrymore. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Richard Thorpe
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Malaya About?
The premise of Malaya without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After years abroad, journalist John Royer returns to the U.S. just as it enters World War II. Claiming he can smuggle rubber—a vital wartime resource—from Malaya, he is recruited for the mission. He frees former associate Carnaghan from Alcatraz, and the two masquerade as Irishmen heading to Southeast Asia. There, Carnaghan assembles old contacts and, with Royer and local plantation owners, plots to move the rubber past the Japanese occupation.
Malaya Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- japanese occupation
- american in asia
- world war two
- rubber
- office
- alcohol
- telephone
- sarcasm
- pistol
- train
- meeting
- gold
+38 more Show fewer
- handshake
- smuggling
- friend
- pardon
- ship
- map
- whistling
- rubber raft
- beach
- brandy
- saloon
- cockatoo
- enemy
- motorboat
- clock
- barter
- fedora
- pith helmet
- punch
- boat dock
- river
- threat
- air raid siren
- fight
- diversion
- camouflage
- slap
- mopping
- convoy
- revolver
- machine gun
- torture
- rain
- wine
- pt boat
- torpedo
- medal
- cigar smoking
Malaya Cast & Characters
James Stewart leads the cast as John Royer, with Spencer Tracy as Carnaghan and Lionel Barrymore as John Manchester. Directed by Richard Thorpe; 15 actors are credited in all.
- Director Richard Thorpe
-
James Stewart as John Royer -
Spencer Tracy as Carnaghan - Lionel Barrymore as John Manchester
- John Hodiak as Kellar
Also Starring in Malaya
· 11 more- Sydney Greenstreet The Dutchman
- Gilbert Roland Romano
- Valentina Cortese Luana
- Richard Loo Colonel Genichi Tomura
- Roland Winters Bruno Gruber
- DeForest Kelley Lt. Glenson (uncredited)
- Tom Helmore Matisson
- Frank Wilcox Naval Officer with Businessmen (uncredited)
- Robert B. Williams Army Sergeant (uncredited)
- Ian Macdonald Carlos Tassuma
- David Fresco Barracuda Ed (uncredited)
More from Richard Thorpe
More films directed by Richard Thorpe, best-rated first: Ivanhoe, Jailhouse Rock, How the West Was Won and The Last Challenge.
Malaya Plot Summary
What happens in Malaya from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
John Royer returns to the United States in January 1942, a pivotal moment just after the country enters World War II. He seeks out his friend, John Manchester, a newspaper publisher, to discuss a daring scheme: smuggling urgently needed rubber out of Japanese-occupied Malaya. Although Manchester has been tapped by the government to handle the rubber shortage, he isn’t eager to jump into action. A government agent, Kellar, pushes Royer toward a meeting with Manchester and other officials, and finally grant is given to move forward with the operation.
Full summary
The whole story of Malaya, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Malaya?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the main commodity the characters are trying to smuggle out of Japanese‑occupied Malaya?
Malaya Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “Malaca” and “East of the Rising Sun”.
- Also known as
-
- Malaca
- East of the Rising Sun
- Malesia
- Малайя
- Malaia
- Hemligt uppdrag i Malaya
Seen Malaya?
Movies Like Malaya
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Pirates of Malaysia, Singapore and The Planter’s Wife.
Malaya FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Malaya, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Malaya?
Malaya runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Malaya released?
Malaya was released on December 27, 1949.
Who directed Malaya?
Malaya was directed by Richard Thorpe.
More films by Richard Thorpe Who is in the cast of Malaya?
Malaya stars James Stewart as John Royer, Spencer Tracy as Carnaghan and Lionel Barrymore as John Manchester, among 15 credited actors.
Does Malaya have a post-credit scene?
No. Malaya has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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