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A Foreign Affair

  • 19481948
  • PGPG
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
7.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Marlene Dietrich, Jean Arthur, and John Lund in A Foreign Affair (1948)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:01
2 Videos
47 Photos
ComedyDramaRomance

In occupied Berlin, an army captain is torn between an ex-Nazi café singer and the U.S. congresswoman investigating her.In occupied Berlin, an army captain is torn between an ex-Nazi café singer and the U.S. congresswoman investigating her.In occupied Berlin, an army captain is torn between an ex-Nazi café singer and the U.S. congresswoman investigating her.

IMDb RATING
7.3/10
7.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Charles Brackett(screenplay)
    • Billy Wilder(screenplay)
    • Richard L. Breen(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jean Arthur
    • Marlene Dietrich
    • John Lund
Top credits
  • Director
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Charles Brackett(screenplay)
    • Billy Wilder(screenplay)
    • Richard L. Breen(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jean Arthur
    • Marlene Dietrich
    • John Lund
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 68User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos2

    A Foreign Affair
    Trailer 1:01
    A Foreign Affair
    A Foreign Affair
    Clip 1:19
    A Foreign Affair

    Photos47

    Marlene Dietrich in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    Jean Arthur in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    John Lund in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    A Foreign Affair (1948)
    Marlene Dietrich, Millard Mitchell, and Peter von Zerneck in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    Marlene Dietrich, Jean Arthur, and John Lund in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    Marlene Dietrich, Jean Arthur, and John Lund in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    Marlene Dietrich, Jean Arthur, and John Lund in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    Marlene Dietrich and John Lund in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    Marlene Dietrich, Jean Arthur, William Murphy, Leo Gregory, and Nick Abramoff in A Foreign Affair (1948)
    A Foreign Affair (1948)
    Marlene Dietrich in A Foreign Affair (1948)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jean Arthur
    Jean Arthur
    • Congresswoman Phoebe Frostas Congresswoman Phoebe Frost
    Marlene Dietrich
    Marlene Dietrich
    • Erika Von Schluetowas Erika Von Schluetow
    John Lund
    John Lund
    • Captain John Pringleas Captain John Pringle
    Millard Mitchell
    Millard Mitchell
    • Colonel Rufus J. Plummeras Colonel Rufus J. Plummer
    Peter von Zerneck
    • Hans Otto Birgelas Hans Otto Birgel
    Stanley Prager
    Stanley Prager
    • Mikeas Mike
    William Murphy
    William Murphy
    • Joeas Joe
    • (as Bill Murphy)
    Raymond Bond
    • Congressman Pennecotas Congressman Pennecot
    Boyd Davis
    • Congressman Giffinas Congressman Giffin
    Robert Malcolm
    Robert Malcolm
    • Congressman Krameras Congressman Kramer
    Charles Meredith
    Charles Meredith
    • Congressman Yandellas Congressman Yandell
    Michael Raffetto
    Michael Raffetto
    • Congressman Salvatoreas Congressman Salvatore
    Damian O'Flynn
    Damian O'Flynn
    • Lieutenant Colonelas Lieutenant Colonel
    Frank Fenton
    Frank Fenton
    • Major Mathewsas Major Mathews
    James Lorimer
    • Lieutenant Hornbyas Lieutenant Hornby
    • (as James Larmore)
    Harland Tucker
    • General McAndrewas General McAndrew
    Bill Neff
    • Lieutenant Lee Thompsonas Lieutenant Lee Thompson
    • (as William Neff)
    George M. Carleton
    George M. Carleton
    • General Finneyas General Finney
    • (as George Carleton)
    • Director
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Charles Brackett(screenplay)
      • Billy Wilder(screenplay)
      • Richard L. Breen(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    A congressional committee visits occupied Berlin to investigate G.I. morals. Congresswoman Phoebe Frost, appalled at widespread evidence of human frailty, hears rumors that cafe singer Erika, former mistress of a wanted war criminal, is "protected" by an American officer, and enlists Captain John Pringle to help her find him...not knowing that Pringle is Erika's lover. —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
    trummerfilmchanteusenazi partynazi sympathizerfellow traveler81 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • You'll Be Buttonholed by People You Hardly Know Who'll Tell You "I Just Saw the Funniest Show in My Life!"
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Billy Wilder said famously of his difficulties with Marlene Dietrich and Jean Arthur in the film, "I have one dame who's afraid to look at herself in a mirror and another who won't stop looking!"
    • Goofs
      Though the character played by Jean Arthur is an 'unmarried' American Congresswoman, the actress's real life wedding ring is visible in many scenes especially close-ups during the latter part of the film.
    • Quotes

      Erika von Schluetow: Let's go up to my apartment. It's only a few ruins away from here.

    • Connections
      Edited into The Good German (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Black Market
      (uncredited)

      Written by Friedrich Hollaender

      Sung by Marlene Dietrich

    User reviews68

    Review
    Top review
    A Moment in Cinema: Dietrich Sings "Black Market"
    in this excellent and underrated Billy Wilder film. Dietrich plays a former Nazi trying to hide behind a post-war American boyfriend. Jean Arthur plays a spinster American congresswoman, and John Lund is the man they both fall for. The scenes of bombed-out Berlin are astonishing, and the 3 stars are wonderful in this sly comedy that gets better with every viewing. The highlights tho are Dietrich's musical numbers sung in a basement speakeasy. She sings the great "Black Market" with composer Frederick Hollander at the piano. She sings LIVE and it's electrifying. She also sings "The Ruins of Berlin" and "Lovely Illusions." Jean Arthur is also good in one of her last films. Millard Mitchell, Bill Murphy, Stanley Prager, and Gordon Jones co-star. A must!
    helpful•48
    4
    • drednm
    • Feb 20, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 20, 1948 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Operation Candy Bar
    • Filming locations
      • Berlin, Germany
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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