MovieChat Forums > A Foreign Affair (1948) Discussion > A few questions for discussion

A few questions for discussion

posted 16 years ago by lubin-freddy
3 replies | jump to latest

Not having gotten any responses on the CFB, I'm copying here a post from a week ago:

I watched "A Foreign Affair" last night, not having seen in in a while, and have several thoughts and questions. (But before all else, as I don't own a biography of Billy Wilder, what would you recommend as the best book to buy?)

(1) How much of the film was shot in Berlin? A lot of the shots are back projected, so it's hard to work out if the actors were there or not. It would be especially interesting to know if the Diva went back.

(2) How much of what WAS shot in Berlin was improvised, or at least scripted while there? Was Brackett there? It seems that much of what's said could only be understood by someone who was there, and talked to people, Germans and Americans.

(3) A short question about history: The films shows American and Russian soldiers fratinizing. I assume that this would soon end, as well as the shot where the Congressmen are taken across the Brandenburg Gate. When was the borders between the Russian and other zones closed?

(4) As for my opinion, there are moments of greatness in the film, the first 10 minutes of exposition, much of the dialog, everything with Dietrich, the presentation of the city, etc. My main problem was with the Phoebe Frost character. I was bothered by the unearned and unbelievable changes in her character, from tough-as-nails congressperson, to the schoolgirl-with-a-crush woman. I wonder if it's just a flaw in the script (along with a few others), or whether it's a matter of Jean Arthur's limitations as an actress.

I usually like Arthur (interesting to compare here role in "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" as almost an opposite of this one), but didn't buy into her character here. She was somewhat (but not completely) more convincing as the tough politician in the beginning, but lost it as soon as she went with the soldiers to the club.

As there are a lot of diva experts who regularly contribute to this board, is there someone you could see doing the role, as scripted? I can only think of Katharine Hepburn, as long as they wrote her from somewhere other than Iowa.

[–] deadparrotsoc 16 years ago

I don't know the answers to your questions but I have to agree with your impression of Jean Arthur. Absolute hell to deal with it. I couldn't stand her at all and yes, it had very much to do with the character she was playing (and her voice!)

Katharine would have been wonderful instead - Didn't think of that until you mentioned it!

[–] Musikdrama 15 years ago

Hallo,

(3) A short question about history: The films shows American and Russian soldiers fratinizing. I assume that this would soon end, as well as the shot where the Congressmen are taken across the Brandenburg Gate. When was the borders between the Russian and other zones closed?

After WWII Berlin was divided into 4 sectors, but the borders between the sectors were kept open. Berlin people could cross the borders between sectors with the "Interzonenpass". From June 1948 to May 1949 the Soviet Union blocked West Berlin the first time (Berlin Blockade), which caused the Berlin Airlift. After that the borders were again open until August 1961 when the German Democratic Republic erected the Berlin Wall.

For more information see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Berlin

Greetings

Alex

My Top Movies:
http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=9205896

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

(4) My main problem was with the Phoebe Frost character. I was bothered by the unearned and unbelievable changes in her character, from tough-as-nails congressperson, to the schoolgirl-with-a-crush woman. I wonder if it's just a flaw in the script (along with a few others), or whether it's a matter of Jean Arthur's limitations as an actress.

Sadly, roles for women were often written in such a way that made all women look like dimwits who fell apart the minute any man showed the least bit interest in them. In this case, Phoebe was especially vulnerable because she was an older woman, out of her prime, who had fallen for a guy who was only taking advantage of her. Pringle, aware of her prior heartbreak, took full advantage of her vulnerability.

It's also true some of us have a way of holding others to a different or higher standard than we hold ourselves. While she was quick to pass judgment on what was going on, when it came to her doing many of the same things like buying a dress and makeup off the black market; neglecting her work; patronizing the Lorelei nightclub; and accepting favors or striking deals with Germans; especially Nazi sympathizers, Phoebe was able to rationalize her own actions.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]