A Notorious Affair

Plot

Lady Patricia Hanley, a high-society British woman, shocks her aristocratic family by breaking her engagement to a wealthy lord to marry Paul Gherardi, a penniless but talented Italian violinist. Patricia uses her wealth and social influence to propel Paul to international stardom, but his newfound fame attracts the attention of the predatory Countess Olga Balakireff. While Patricia remains devoted, Paul becomes ensnared in a scandalous affair with the Countess, eventually suffering a physical and nervous collapse under the strain of his double life. After a life-saving surgery performed by one of Patricia's former suitors, Paul is forced to confront his infidelity and the selfless loyalty of the wife he betrayed. The film concludes with a reconciliation that highlights the era's complex views on marital duty and the redemptive power of a 'good' woman's love.

Historical Background

Released in 1930, the film arrived at the height of the 'Pre-Code' era, a brief window in Hollywood history between the arrival of sound and the strict enforcement of the Hays Code in 1934. This period allowed filmmakers to explore 'adult' themes like adultery, nymphomania, and class rebellion with surprising frankness. Historically, 1930 was also a year of record cinema attendance (110 million weekly in the US) as audiences sought escape from the early hardships of the Great Depression. The film's focus on the British aristocracy and 'continental' musicians reflected a common Hollywood trope of the time, where European settings were used to justify more 'decadent' or 'immoral' behavior to American audiences.

Making Of

The production of 'A Notorious Affair' serves as a snapshot of the chaotic transition from silent films to 'talkies.' While Billie Dove was a massive star of the silent era, her career began to wane with the advent of sound, partly because her 'saintly' persona struggled to compete with the more modern, aggressive 'vamp' characters like the one played by Kay Francis. Director Lloyd Bacon reportedly favored Francis during shooting, giving her more dramatic close-ups and shimmering lighting than the lead actress. The film also showcases the early use of 'blimps' for cameras, which allowed for slightly more movement than the static soundproof booths used just a year prior, though the blocking remains somewhat stage-bound due to the limitations of early microphone technology.

Visual Style

Photographed by the legendary Ernest Haller (who would later win an Oscar for 'Gone with the Wind'), the film utilizes the 'soft focus' style popular in the late 1920s to enhance Billie Dove's ethereal beauty. However, Haller also experimented with high-contrast, 'vulpine' lighting for Kay Francis, using shadows to emphasize her character's predatory nature. The visual style is a bridge between the pictorialism of late silents and the sharp, high-key glamour of 1930s Warner Bros. productions.

Innovations

The film is a notable example of early sound-on-film technology from First National/Warner Bros. It successfully integrated musical performances (the violin solos) with dialogue-heavy scenes, a technical challenge in 1930 when sound mixing was in its infancy. The use of Anton Grot's set designs also showcased the studio's ability to create lavish European aristocratic environments on a Hollywood backlot.

Music

The music was composed by Cecil Copping. As the plot centers on a violinist, the soundtrack features several prominent violin solos intended to represent Paul Gherardi's genius. However, the 'syncing' of Basil Rathbone's movements to the music was noted by some as being technically unconvincing, a common issue in early musical dramas.

Memorable Scenes

• The introduction of Countess Olga: She returns from a fox hunt in a top hat and mannish attire, wielding a riding crop and eyeing a stable hand with predatory intent.
• The Party Debut: Paul Gherardi makes his social debut with his new wife, only to be immediately targeted by the shimmering, cigarette-smoking Countess Olga.
• The Collapse: Paul suffers a dramatic nervous breakdown and physical collapse at the Countess's home, a scene played with high-melodramatic intensity by Rathbone.

What Critics Said

At the time of its release, reviews were mixed regarding the plot but highly positive toward the performances. The New York Times noted Basil Rathbone's 'earnestness' but found the story somewhat conventional. Modern critics, such as those at Pre-Code.com, often find the film 'creaky' and the central relationship between Dove and Rathbone 'tedious,' yet they almost universally praise Kay Francis for providing the film's only 'sizzle' and energy. It is now viewed as an essential 'curio' for fans of early 1930s glamour and the evolution of the 'vamp' archetype.

What Audiences Thought

1930 audiences responded well to the film's high-society glamour and the scandalous nature of the central affair. While Billie Dove remained a favorite for her beauty, it was Kay Francis who left the most lasting impression on the public, leading to her becoming one of the highest-paid actresses of the decade shortly thereafter. The film's short runtime and fast-paced melodrama made it a successful 'Strand Theatre' programmer.

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