The issue is that
LWP::UserAgent fails quietly on https requests when you don't have the necessary modules installed. I got bit by it a few years ago.
LWP::Protocol::https is not
actually a module, but rather an installation construct for the modules required for https access. Also make sure you explicitly include the https protocol in your URL.
If you are using ActiveState Perl, PPM should give you an easy method to quickly check if you've installed the LWP::Protocol::https package.
#11929 First ask yourself `How would I do this without a computer?' Then have the computer do it the same way.