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A Notorious Affair
A Notorious Affair
Directed by	Lloyd Bacon
Written by	Contributing writers: ; Forrest Halsey ; Lillian Hayward ; Earle Roebuck
Screenplay by	J. Grubb Alexander
Based on	Fame (1929 play); by Audrey and Waverly Carter
Produced by	Robert North
Starring	Billie Dove
Cinematography	Ernest Haller
Edited by	Frank Ware
Music by	Cecil Copping
Production; company	First National Pictures
Distributed by	First National Pictures
Release dates	April 25, 1930 (New York City); May 4, 1930 (U.S.);
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

A Notorious Affair is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film, produced and released by First National Pictures. It was directed by Lloyd Bacon, starred Billie Dove, and featured Basil Rathbone and Kay Francis.^[2]^[1] The film was adapted from the play Fame, which was written by Audrey and Waverly Carter.

Plot

Lady Patricia (Billie Dove), a London socialite engaged to another aristocrat, shocks her father and social class by marrying the poor Italian violinist Paul Gherardi (Basil Rathbone). Countess Olga Balakireff (Kay Francis), a vamp who likes to fool around with men below her station, takes an interest in Gherardi, as well. Unbeknownst to Patricia, Balakireff uses her influence to make Paul famous and, in return, ensnares him in an affair. The double strain of fame and deceit causes Paul to suffer a collapse at Balakireff's house. Dr. Pomeroy (Kenneth Thompson) is sent for; he happens to be one of Patricia's former lovers. Pomeroy has Paul taken home, where Patricia quickly uncovers the facts. The Gherardis separate. While Dr. Pomeroy ardently courts Patricia, Paul cohabits with Balakireff in the South of France, until she has had her fun and leaves him. Paul then suffers a paralytic attack. Patricia and Dr. Pomeroy take Paul to a surgeon for an operation, and Patricia stays at her husband's side to nurse him back to health. After a month, Paul still seems to have made no progress. He cannot move his finger. Paul tells Patricia that he knows that she wants to leave him for Pomeroy but that a divorce from a paralyzed man would be impossible. “I will always be lying here between you,” he says. Pomeroy examines him and after he leaves the room, Paul moves his arms. Pomeroy and Patricia say goodbye forever, and after Pomeroy drives away, Patricia hears the sound of Paul's violin. He has, in fact, been fully recovered for a month. She is overjoyed that the operation was a success. He has just discovered that his heart was paralyzed, too, with fame. Perhaps we are both free now, she says. He sets her free to go to Pomeroy. It must have taken more than mere selfishness for him to lie motionless between her and her happiness, she says. He laughs at himself for being a melodramatic coward. How could he expect to hold her with pity? he asks. When love was all that was necessary, she replies. They step to the window, gazing into each other's eyes, and embrace.

Cast

Billie Dove as Lady Patricia Hanley Gherardi
Basil Rathbone as Paul Gherardi
Kay Francis as Countess Olga Balakireff
Kenneth Thomson as Dr. Alan Pomeroy
Montagu Love as Sir Thomas Hanley
Malcolm Waite as Higgins, Countess Balakireff's butler

Reception

Leonard Maltin gives the film two out of four stars, commenting, “ Plush production can't save this stagy soap opera.”^[3]

Although Billie Dove was supposed to be the star, The New York Times reported that in spite of “lending a decorative presence, her speeches pale beside a performance of one so expert as Mr. Rathbone. Kay Francis, too, as the scheming countess, puts Miss Dove somewhat in the shade” .^[4]

Preservation

The film survives intact and has been broadcast on television and cable. A print is held by the Library of Congress and it is also in the Turner Library.^[5]