Personal Affair (1953)

Barbara Vining, a teen-age girl in a small English town falls in love with her teacher Stephen Barlow, who has no interest in her other than as a pupil and has done nothing to encourage her... See full summary »

Director:

Anthony Pelissier

Writers:

Lesley Storm (play), Lesley Storm (screenplay)

Stars:

Gene Tierney, Leo Genn, Glynis Johns

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Tierney	...	Kay Barlow
Leo Genn	...	Stephen Barlow
Glynis Johns	...	Barbara Vining
Walter Fitzgerald	...	Henry Vining
Pamela Brown	...	Evelyn
Megs Jenkins	...	Vi Vining
Michael Hordern	...	Headmaster Griffith
Thora Hird	...	Mrs. Usher
Norah Gorsen	...	Phoebe (as Norah Gaussen)
Nanette Newman	...	Sally

Storyline

Barbara Vining, a teen-age girl in a small English town falls in love with her teacher Stephen Barlow, who has no interest in her other than as a pupil and has done nothing to encourage her. When his wife, Kay Barlow confronts her, Barbara runs off. Stephen follows her to try and explain to her how hopeless the situation is. When she doesn't return home, the gossip and rumors begin. Barbara's father, an intelligent man is torn between his parental love and his basic wisdom, and her aunt, a neurotic old maid who also had a hopeless love affair years before, appears pleased with the situation. Barlow is accused of many lurid crimes, despite the lack of any evidence, and his marriage and career are nearly ruined until Barbara returns three days later and clears him.

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | murder | based on play

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ihre erste Enttäuschung

Filming Locations:

Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Two Cities Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film of Nanette Newman.

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Quotes

Vi Vining: You see sex in everything!
Evelyn: Sex is everything.

User Reviews

Interesting exploration of gossip

Taunt tight suspenseful drama, I don't want to to say to much about the plot. Gene Tierney is very good in this very talkie film. Tierney is expressive and restrained and gives a great performance. Despite a few flaws in the script the film held my attention. Leo Genn was also very good as the besieged teacher, nice to see him in as a leading man. Glynis Johns seems a little too mature for the part of a teenage girl, overlooking that a nice performance. Pamela Brown is wonderful as the bitter Aunt. The direction seemed very controlled. Overall an interesting film about gossip and the damage it can do to peoples lives. The performances from the two stars to supporting cast make this Film, Tierney and Genn stands out. The strong production value of the film is grade A. Beautifully filmed in England.