The Affairs of Susan

Joan Fontaine plays the title character, a super-alluring women who is adored by four men--all of which want to marry her. While I thought Fontaine was a decent enough actress, here she seemed miscast as I couldn't see any of the sex appeal that the four men found in her. As for the story...well...it was just okay.

The story begins with a very impulsive Richard (Walter Abel) insisting that Susan marry him. Then, quite impulsively, he insists they marry tonight and move across the country to DC. However, when he sees that Susan has three other men who adore her, he decides to invite them all to meet so he can learn more about them...and his bride to be. Each, in turn, tells their story. The first is Susan's ex-husband, Roger (George Brent) and the other two are guys who fell for her once she and Roger were no more (Don Defore and Dennis O'Keefe). Then, when the film ends, Susan must choose one of these guys...or none (as back then choosing two or three or all four was DEFINITELY not an option).

The story was pretty weak and Fontaine neither convincing nor giving one of her better performances. Overall, this clearly has time- passer written all over it. Not a bad film....just not all that good a film.

Obviously, "The Affairs of Susan" has some dated depictions of gender relations. But aside from that, it's a funny movie, with Joan Fontaine playing a woman whose fiancé (Walter Abel) finds out about her previous relationships. All her previous lovers have a story about her wacky antics. The humor is more subtle than what we're used to, but when it bubbles up, there's plenty of laughs to be had! While not the greatest comedy ever, it's still one that you're bound to enjoy. I sure did. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Story but lost to "The House on 92nd Street" (which was actually the more important movie that year).

Walter Abel is getting married to Joan Fontaine, so he wants to learn more about her from her exes, in "The Affairs of Susan." She was married to George Brent and Don Defore, and engaged to Dennis O'Keefe. They all tell their story of meeting her and the personality of Susan they knew and loved. When I started the film, it felt a little forced. But the film's entertainment really starts with George Brent's flashback, as he was her first husband. Their chemistry is great and they make for a sweet couple, but of course their relationship sours and Susan loses her unpretentiousness, resulting in their divorce, thus leading to the others' tales. All the actors are well cast and their stories are so engrossing, but it's all about Susan, and Joan Fontaine gives a great and relatively restrained performance as Susan, who goes from guy to guy, learning who she is and what she wants out of life. I know this sounds serious, when in fact it was a delightful comedy-drama. In fact, Walter Abel was quite disturbed when he saw all of the gentlemen's pictures in her apartment. She had not told him, in the brief time they knew each other, before his proposal, about any of her past. But what happens when he learns more about his fiancée? When you add up all "The Affairs of Susan," what has any of them learned? It seems that Susan....

Joan Fontaine is wonderful in this delightful comedy about a woman who appears to attract men like flies!!! She is about to run off with the man she loves, when he discovers all the so-called 'loose ends' that she has left behind. I am a big fan of Fontaine and this film is one of her best. Watch the way she wraps each man around her little finger without even realising it!! Comes highly recommended.

Joan Fontaine shines brilliantly in one of her rare comedies. She plays Susan who is pursued by four different men, each with distinct personalities. As she adapts to each of her suitors personalities, we see a different Susan and a delightful Joan Fontaine. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys witty dialogue, a brisk paced film. super performances by a supporting cast, and most especially anyone who loves clever story lines. Edith Head designed the clothes Ms. Fontaine wears and they are to die for. It is not available on video, so tape it when it comes on cable. Every once in a while you can purchase it on Ebay. Joan Fontaine is simply great in this movie.