Affaire ultra-secrète

Susan hayward is Dot Peale, publisher. Lady of means and power. when her own candidate doesn't make the grade for a certain job, Dot brings General Goodwin (Kirk Douglas) to her home to try to get the goods on him, catch him being "too military". You'll recognize advance man Colonel Gooch... Jim Backus (Mr. Howell!) keep an eye out for Charles Lane, right at the start; he held the record for the most roles under his belt for the longest time; maybe he still does. and of course, Dot and the General have both under-estimated each other. lots of talking. they both think they have the upper hand, but do they? what have they won? can they come to an understanding? it's good. pretty low key. lots of talking and arguing. directed by Hank Potter. no oscars, but directed some biggies, like Mr. Blandings. Novel by John Marquand.

In "Top Secret Affair" both Kirk Douglas and Susan Hayward were allowed to do the things that they did best. They were respectively cast as intense, inner directed, talented people in search of soul mates. their initial antagonism (primarily on Hayward's part with Douglas oblivious to it) is based on her misunderstanding of Douglas' true character and personal qualities. In reality both are highly patriotic , driven individuals with only the good of their country at heart. They are perfect partners with matching vitality and values. This is one instance where Hollywood started over from scratch, ignoring the contents of a good book but creating an original piece of light entertainment in the process.

Solid performances by both Hayward and Douglas and a nice turn by Jim Backus in this battle-of-the-wills comedy. Hayward is head of a Time/Life-style empire that attempts to smear the record of war hero general Douglas. As worthy opponents the sparks are subtle and adult, especially for the time. It avoids politics in an obvious way while showcasing why Kirk Douglas had legions of female fans, and why Susan Hayward was the thinking man's movie fave. Not a knee-slapper, but fairly realistic as a smart comedy. Worth a watch and better than Leonard Maltin thinks it is.

This was inspired by John P. Marquand's 1951 novel "Melville Goodwin: USA." The book was about an Army general's affair with a prominent woman, and it was one of Marquand's most entertaining. Unfortunately, the movie retains almost nothing of the original story except for the names of the two romantic leads. In the book, the general is already married, and making him a bachelor in the movie simply changes everything. The movie even eliminates the narrator of the book, who supplied much of its humor. Readers of the book can watch the movie with no sense of what will happen next. The two are that different, and the movie is undeniably inferior.

For movie goers of the 1950s, "Top Secret Affair" was an entertaining film starring Kirk Douglas and Susan Hayward. As a comedy romance, it's about as far-fetched a plot as many such films are. And, that's where some of the enjoyment comes from. The comedy is fair with a screenplay that has a tough time swinging the leading lady back and forth as a villain, then lover, then villain, then lover.

Susan Hayward's Dottie Peale is a publishing tycoon who first wants to torpedo Maj. Gen. Melville Goodwin (Kirk Douglas) as new head of the Joint Atomic International Commission. The best of the comedy comes in her various failed attempts to get him on tape and film in bad positions. After they have a night's romance, that doesn't last, to her dismay, she goes back to plan one. This happens a couple times

The movie borrowed some from a 1951 novel, "Melville Goodwin," by John Marquand. But that was mostly the names with major revisions in the characters and story. It's mostly fluff, but enjoyable stuff for the stars and their supporting cast.