Saigon (1947) Plot Summary Explained

Larry accepts the $10,000 flying job with profiteer Alex Maris to fund a memorable send-off for his dying friend Mike Perry, who has only two months to live due to a head injury from World War II. Larry and Sergeant Pete Rocco want to give Mike exciting experiences during his final months.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Larry and Pete vow to show Mike a good time before he dies, establishing the financial motivation behind accepting Maris's dangerous job.

• Larry Briggs
• Alex Maris
• Mike Perry
• flying job
• $10
• 000
• terminal illness

After ordering Susan to leave because he wants the romance to end, Larry relents when he sees Mike longing for her. However, he blackmails Susan into continuing the relationship by threatening to turn her over to Lieutenant Keon, who suspects her of smuggling. This forces Susan to see Larry while she carries $500,000 for Maris, putting her in extreme danger.

Foreshadowing: The setup was established when Larry convinced Susan to play along with Mike's infatuation at the airport, but her real feelings for Larry complicate the deception.

• Larry blackmail
• Susan Cleaver
• Mike Perry
• Lieutenant Keon
• $500
• 000
• forced relationship

During the boat voyage to Saigon, Larry tricks Keon by stowing the $500,000 in an envelope and mailing it to himself. This clever ruse deflects suspicion from Susan, who appears to be traveling without the money, while actually securing the funds for retrieval at their destination.

Foreshadowing: Keon's constant surveillance throughout the journey creates the necessity for Larry's deception with the money.

• Larry
• Lieutenant Keon
• money envelope
• smuggling
• Saigon
• $500
• 000

After arriving in Saigon, Susan secretly arranges to retrieve the money from the post office and returns it to Maris. This act removes a crucial source of leverage and power from the profiteer, essentially betraying him while also removing the dangerous money from Larry and Mike's possession.

Foreshadowing: Maris's demand for the posted money at Susan's hotel sets up the confrontation that leads to her decision.

• Susan Cleaver
• Alex Maris
• money
• post office
• Saigon
• betrayal

When Maris and his valet Simon hold Larry hostage at Susan's hotel demanding the money, Pete bursts in to rescue him. During the struggle with Simon, both men fall off a balcony to their deaths, eliminating Larry's loyal friend and complicating the already dire situation.

Foreshadowing: Pete's determination to help Larry was established when he hatched the original plan to give Mike a send-off.

• Pete Rocco
• Simon
• balcony
• Maris
• Larry
• death
• fight

Mike and Maris confront each other in Saigon during a gunfight. Both men are killed in the exchange of gunfire, ending the conflict between the profiteer and those who were transporting his money. Mike dies despite his terminal condition, and Maris pays the ultimate price for his greed.

Foreshadowing: Tensions between Maris and the group escalate from the moment he arrives late for the first flight with police pursuing him.

• Mike Perry
• Alex Maris
• gunfight
• death
• Saigon
• climax

Larry initially convinces Susan to play along with Mike's romantic interest to give his dying friend happiness during his final months. However, Larry's own feelings for Susan develop secretly, creating a painful conflict between his loyalty to Mike and his growing love for her.

Foreshadowing: At the airport, Mike immediately falls for Susan, and Larry's initial role as matchmaker sets up the tragic love triangle.

• Larry Briggs
• Susan Cleaver
• Mike Perry
• love triangle
• loyalty
• sacrifice

After Mike's funeral, Larry decides to leave behind the dangerous world of profiteers, crime, and deceit that ultimately cost three lives, Mike, Maris, and Pete Rocco. Choosing a new life with Susan represents Larry's desire for redemption and a fresh start away from the morally ambiguous activities that defined his postwar existence.

Foreshadowing: Larry's realization that he loves Susan upon arriving in Saigon marks the turning point toward choosing a different path.

• Larry
• Susan
• new life
• redemption
• leave
• dangerous world
• Mike funeral

When Larry sees Mike falling for Susan, he decides the romance must end and orders Susan to leave immediately. This decision reflects Larry's prioritization of his friend's limited time and happiness over his own developing feelings, attempting to protect Mike from emotional pain while managing the dangerous situation with the $500,000.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Mike's infatuation and Larry's conflicting emotions was established the moment Susan arrived at the airport.

• Larry
• Susan
• Mike
• romance
• leave
• order
• $500
• 000