The Donovan Affair is a 1929 American pre-Code comedic murder-mystery film directed by Frank Capra. It was produced by Harry Cohn for Columbia Pictures and is based upon the play of the same name by Owen Davis. Its original soundtrack, recorded on soundtrack discs, has been lost, although it has been recreated for live performances.[1]
| The Donovan Affair | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Frank Capra |
| Screenplay by | Howard J. Green Dorothy Howell |
| Based on | The Donovan Affair by Owen Davis |
| Produced by | Harry Cohn |
| Starring | Jack Holt Dorothy Revier William Collier Jr. |
| Cinematography | Ted Tetzlaff |
| Edited by | Arthur Roberts |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editAfter the lights go out at a fancy party, Jack Donovan (John Roche) turns up dead. Inspector Killian (Jack Holt) is called to the scene. As part of the investigation, he calls for a re-enactment of the events leading up to the murder. The lights go out, and another person turns up dead. Inspector Killian again calls for a re-enactment.[2][3]
Cast
edit- Jack Holt as Inspector Killian
- Dorothy Revier as Jean Rankin
- William Collier Jr. as Cornish
- Agnes Ayres as Lydia Rankin
- John Roche as Jack Donovan
- Fred Kelsey as Carney
- Hank Mann as Dr. Lindsey
- Wheeler Oakman as Porter
- Virginia Brown Faire as Mary Mills
- Alphonse Ethier as Captain Peter Rankin
- Edward Hearn as Nelson
- Ethel Wales as Mrs. Lindsey
- John Wallace as Dobbs
- Allan Cavan as Gambler (uncredited)
- Sherry Hall as Gambler (uncredited)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Film Forum · The Donovan Affair". Filmforum.org. February 13, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ "The Donovan Affair (1929)". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ Hall, Mordaunt (April 29, 1929). "Movie Review - The Donovan Affair - THE SCREEN; Amusing Murders. Versatile Willard Mack. - NYTimes.com". Movies.nytimes.com. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
External links
edit
- The Donovan Affair at IMDb
- Synopsis at AllMovie
- The Donovan Affair at silentera.com
- Stills at silentfilm.org
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