Les caprices de Suzanne

Joan Fontaine, before 1945, only made a few comedies, and they were B pictures. In this movie, she changes her personality with every new man she meets. She met four men, and she changed her personality four times. Each time she is a different type of woman: shy, movie star, social, and intellectual. She is very funny in each of the roles as she tries to readjust to the new life, and try to find the right man. She finally ends up with her first husband, but goes through a lot to find out he is the right one. Very funny, I recommend it.

Obviously, "The Affairs of Susan" has some dated depictions of gender relations. But aside from that, it's a funny movie, with Joan Fontaine playing a woman whose fiancé (Walter Abel) finds out about her previous relationships. All her previous lovers have a story about her wacky antics. The humor is more subtle than what we're used to, but when it bubbles up, there's plenty of laughs to be had! While not the greatest comedy ever, it's still one that you're bound to enjoy. I sure did. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Story but lost to "The House on 92nd Street" (which was actually the more important movie that year).

The Affairs Of Susan has Walter Abel ready to marry Joan Fontaine and at a big blowout three guys who've had history with this woman who is a famous stage actress show up to tell Abel about their experiences. The trio are an ex-husband who is a theatrical producer played by George Brent, a rich financial backer from the west who is Don DeFore and Dennis O'Keefe a rather pretentious and iconoclastic writer.

All of them see Fontaine in a different way because they all dealt with her at different stages of her in her growth as a human being. All three bring out different aspects of her personality. One thing is for sure all three are still carrying a statue of liberty size torch for her.

The film got Oscar recognition with a nomination for original screenplay. I think it kind of takes a bit from the Ginger Rogers classic Tom, Dick, And Harry. And if you think about it The Affairs Of Susan is a less serious version in many ways of The Bad And The Beautiful.

Fontaine and her men do well in the roles. But you really ought to notice Rita Johnson who is a rival actress to Fontaine. Funniest scene in the film is what Johnson does to try and spoil Fontaine's opening night.

I also love the opening title as that quartet of Susan's men sing If You Knew Susie. After 72 years the film still sparkles.

Joan Fontaine shines brilliantly in one of her rare comedies. She plays Susan who is pursued by four different men, each with distinct personalities. As she adapts to each of her suitors personalities, we see a different Susan and a delightful Joan Fontaine. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys witty dialogue, a brisk paced film. super performances by a supporting cast, and most especially anyone who loves clever story lines. Edith Head designed the clothes Ms. Fontaine wears and they are to die for. It is not available on video, so tape it when it comes on cable. Every once in a while you can purchase it on Ebay. Joan Fontaine is simply great in this movie.

Joan Fontaine was so often cast in moody, introspective roles in somber dramas that her prowess in comedy was seldom explored. Here it certainly is--she gets the chance to play a woman who is entirely different in the eyes of three men who loved her in the past (George Brent, Don deFore and Dennis O'Keefe)--and are now telling their stories to the man about to marry her (Walter Abel). In flashback we see Susan as a plain-Jane who becomes an actressy type, an intellectual and a glamorous sophisticate. It's a pleasure to see Fontaine enjoying herself in a demanding comedy role for a change--with excellent support from her co-stars, particularly George Brent as an ex-husband. Rarely shown on TV, it's one you have to catch on one of the cable channels and well worth viewing.