The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (1947)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Albert Lewin

Writers:

Guy de Maupassant (novel) and
Albert E. Lewin (writer)

Release Date:

25 April 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Writer Georges Duroy (George Sanders) is one social-climbing S.O.B. who does most of his climbing over the warm (and cold) bodies of women...

Plot Keywords:

Morality | Newspaper | Foreign Language Adaptation | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Cast

George Sanders	...	Georges Duroy
Angela Lansbury	...	Clotilde de Marelle
Ann Dvorak	...	Madeleine Forestier
John Carradine	...	Charles Forestier
Susan Douglas Rubes	...	Suzanne Walter (as Susan Douglas)
Hugo Haas	...	Monsieur Walter
Warren William	...	Laroche-Mathieu
Frances Dee	...	Marie de Varenne
Albert Bassermann	...	Jacques Rival
Marie Wilson	...	Rachel Michot
Katherine Emery	...	Madame Walter
Richard Fraser	...	Philippe de Cantel
John Good	...	Paul de Cazolles
David Bond	...	Norbert de Varenne
Leonard Mudie	...	Potin

Also Known As:

Women of Paris (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

USA:112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #12023, Adult Audience)

Company:

David L. Loew-Albert Lewin

Trivia:

The producers held a contest for artists to create a painting about the temptation of Saint Anthony for use in the film. Although Max Ernst won the contest and got his painting on screen, Salvador Dalí's contribution (featuring a parade of spider-legged elephants tormenting the saint) became better known.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: At 9', a piano player and a violin player are doing a number. We hear a vibrato on the violin, but the left fingers of the player are not moving at all.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Bel ami" (1983)

Soundtrack:

My Bel Ami

Slightly wooden but interesting nonetheless

Maupaussant's roaring tale of the rise of Duroy is tamed slightly in this version, with George Sanders bumbling rather scheming his way to the top. It's let down by some poor production values, although the dueling scene at the end is well handled. Worth watching for the shocking view of 'The Temptation of St Anthony' in ultra-modern colour (about three quarters the way through) alone.