MovieChat Forums > A Foreign Affair (1948) Discussion > Hollaender, and Dietrich--and little els...

Hollaender, and Dietrich--and little else?

posted 18 years ago by Tahhh
4 replies | jump to latest

Do you think it's unfair of me to say that this film is really pretty dull, with the exception of the three magical musical moments of Dietrich and Hollaender at the piano?

I think, especially, "Black Market," is extraordinary music, and performed to a crisp.

Mind you, I *LIKE* Jean Arthur--and I think her sweet little monologue about how love showed up in her life, all white sails on the horizon, would have been marvellously touching in a more substantial film.

As it is, though, I find the whole film a dopey bore--with these gem-like cabaret songs embedded inside it, that are so good, it's worth sitting through the rest!

Fire away.

[–] Mayesgwtw39 18 years ago

I think it's got a few more attractions than that--It certainly gives the bleak sense of life in after-war Germany--and yet the hunor and joy that's still a part of living.

The great scene where Dietrich saves Arthur's skin at the police station, the congresswoman posing as a fraeulein for two GIs, the wild notion of Dietrich meeting Hitler...I think there is a lot more.

But you mention some great points, though I'd be inclined to say that "In den Ruinen von Berlin" is the best number of the film. It expresses darkly, yet affirmatively the spirit of Berlin's reawakening--which makes it a contemporary song too!

[–] Piperson 15 years ago

I don't agree that the film is dull. But I do agree about that Marlene's renditions of the Hollander songs are the highlights. I have watched this movie several times and always loved "Illusions" and "Ruins of Berlin". Now, all of a sudden "Blackmarket" jumps out and grabs me and I can't believe how magical and chilling it is. If you get a chance, pay attention to the little interludes Hollander plays between the verses. It is like Chopin.

[–] Beau_Buffet 9 years ago

You really thought it was dull?

I found it very entertaining. Excellent script.

[–] cyninbend-149-610489 9 years ago

Totally agree. I loved the Dietrich performances, but although normally I love Jean Arthur, every scene she's in in this movie fell flat for me. It was bizarre that a Congresswoman lands (the wedding ring she wears in the plane confused me terribly--imagine audiences in theatres without a laptop and IMDB!) in Berlin and hops on a bike with 2 servicemen--I couldn't help but think no one would do that today unless she wanted to risk her life--but postwar Berlin could not have been safer than today! What stupidity....

And Lund was singularly unattractive---like the nazi chicken farmer who headed the SS Heinrich Himmler...he had no chin or jaw...why would 2 beautiful, successful women compete for his attentions?

Anyway, Jean Arthur was much better in other films, Dietrich better when she gets more scenes, and Billy Wilder simply better than this period.