''The Silken Affair'' is a 1956 British

romantic comedy film Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

directed by

Roy Kellino Roy Kellino (born Philip Roy Gislingham; 22 April 1912 – 18 November 1956) was an English film director, film producer, producer and cinematographer. Biography He was born Philip Roy Gislingham in Lambeth, South London, the son of the silent-e ...

and starring David Niven,

Geneviève Page Geneviève Page (born Geneviève Bonjean, 13 December 1927) is a French actress with a film career spanning fifty years and also numerous English-speaking film productions. She is the daughter of French art collector Jacques Paul Bonjean (1899– ...

, Wilfrid Hyde-White,

Joan Sims Irene Joan Marion Sims (9 May 1930 – 27 June 2001) was an English actress, best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' franchise, appearing in 24 of the films (the most for any actress). On television, she is known for playing Gran i ...

, Irene Handl and

Ronald Squire Ronald Launcelot Squire (25 March 1886 – 16 November 1958) was an English character actor. Biography Born in Tiverton, Devon, England, the son of an army officer, Lt.-Col. Frederick Squirl and his Irish-born wife Mary (Ronald's surname 'Sq ...

. The screenplay concerns an accountant who is creative with his firm's books and uses the money to fund a romantic spree.

Cast

* David Niven as Roger Tweakham *

as Genevieve Gerard *

as Marberry * Beatrice Straight as Theora * Wilfrid Hyde-White as Sir Horace Hogg *

Howard Marion-Crawford Howard Marion-Crawford (17 January 1914 – 24 November 1969), the grandson of writer F. Marion Crawford, was an English character actor, best known for his portrayal of Dr. Watson in the 1954 television adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. In 19 ...

as Baggott * Dorothy Alison as Mrs. Tweakham *

Miles Malleson William Miles Malleson (25 May 1888 – 15 March 1969) was an English actor and dramatist, particularly remembered for his appearances in British comedy films of the 1930s to 1960s. Towards the end of his career he also appeared in cameo roles i ...

as Mr. Blucher * Richard Wattis as Worthington *

as Lady Barber * Irene Handl as Receptionist * Charles Carson as Judge * Harry Locke as Tobacconist * Martin Boddey as Detective

Critical reception

In the ''

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...

'', David McGillivray called it a "frivolous romantic comedy," in which, "the theme was exploited much more effectively 20 years later in

Jonathan Demme Robert Jonathan Demme ( ; February 22, 1944 – April 26, 2017) was an American filmmaker. Beginning his career under B-movie producer Roger Corman, Demme made his directorial debut with the 1974 women-in-prison film ''Caged Heat'', before ...

's '' Something Wild''", while ''

TV Guide TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or t ...

'' wrote, "This film tries to be a light, stylish British comedy in the sophisticated manner that is one of Britain's best exports; however, the plot is too implausible and the script doesn't give the actors much to work with. The direction compensates somewhat in a handsome looking production. The cast does give it their all, with Niven in his usual witty performance and international leading lady Page as the love interest, winning kudos from the critics for her debut in English films".

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Silken Affair 1956 films Films shot at Associated British Studios Films directed by Roy Kellino 1956 romantic comedy films British romantic comedy films 1950s English-language films 1950s British films British black-and-white films