The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (1947)

the audience applauded

Please don't spend money on this.

Great Film overall

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Did the urbane character George Sanders get bitten by some bug while in Africa that made him decide that he needed to seduce every woman he walked by? It seems that way as he makes his way through Paris society treating street whores like a countess, and treating countesses like street whores. Of course, once he gets them, he tosses them aside as soon as his appetite is filled. That is all but one whom he can't seem to get out of his mind, and that is the graceful widow played by the magnificent Angela Lansbury. Having been the victim of Dorian Gray some two years before while Sanders watched from the sidelines, Lansbury is a lady here rather than a poor down-on-her-luck singer, yet one not so obsessed with her station in life as intently as she is on remaining true to the one man she loves. She's a widow with a sweet young daughter, and upon meeting Sanders at a dinner party given by Sanders' old pal John Carradine and his wife Ann Dvorak, she's smitten. The problem is however that so is pretty much every woman Sanders encounters, and that includes the very married Dvorak.What is the truth about Sanders' character here? That is the mystery that rolls through this somewhat over-long melodrama, sometimes slow, sometimes mesmerizing. Is Sanders a simple Don Juan, or is he a Libertine, or does he secretly hate women for some reason, wanting to break their spirits and destroy them? Look how he treats cafe singer Marie Wilson who makes a scene when he ignores her after he shows up after meeting Lansbury, having first met Wilson, insulted her publicly, then seducing her for "what the heck's" sake. He's not above seducing all the married women in society, and while his charm is obvious, it is also clear that he will never sincerely mean what he tells them. The film gives the impression that when he is seducing one woman, he's thinking of another woman in his mind, particularly Lansbury who writes him a love letter of such poetic beauty, you'd think he'd change his womanizing ways instantly. But Sanders' character is obviously insane, if not violently so, definitely a sociopath. It's watching his character rise and fall that makes this so fascinating, even if he is definitely one of the biggest rogues to be seen on screen.I wanted to see more of both Carradine and Warren William, who ironically was sort of the George Sanders of the early 30's with his ultra womanizing characters seducing then dropping practically every lady in sight. Of course, both could play the gentlemen and be noble, but villains are always more fascinating, especially if they are played with many layers. Frances Dee is excellent as a troubled married woman who allows herself to be seduced with tears behind her eyes as she realizes she's being pulled into intrigue by the devil himself. Susan Douglas also gives an excellent performance as Dee's daughter who as Sanders ages becomes the latest victim, one which will surely lead to his doom as the world catches up to his sins. This isn't an easy film to watch, but it is one that if totally alert, you can get through like you would the world's most famous epic novels. And in the end, Sanders is a character you do feel sorry for, because with someone as wonderful as Lansbury's character there pining for him, you just want him to wake up and realize the missed opportunity he's turning away from.

Virtually the same story as the same star's later and contemporary DEATH OF A SCOUNDREL, THE PRIVATE AFFAIRS OF BEL AMI sees George Sanders on fine caddish form as a swine who works his way through a series of unfortunate women in 19th century France.The story is well staged by Albert Lewin, who wrings plenty of melodrama out of the events, and of course there's a great performance by George Sanders - one of the original "guys you love to hate" - as the titular bad guy. He's also given decent support by Angela Lansbury (who'd suppose she was ever young?) and John Carradine, playing outside of B-movies for once.The story is well paced and has a decent script, based on a story by ace writer Guy de Maupassant. It has inevitably dated in the years since release, lacking the moments of high drama that you'd expect from the premise, but it makes up for it with the dramatic stand-off at the climax.

In 1956, George Sanders made one of his best films, "Death of a Scoundrel". I mention this because in many ways, "The Private Affairs of Bel Ami" is very similar--though not quite as satisfying and amoral. Both stories star Sanders and both feature him as a schemer--a man who uses people (especially women) and casts them aside when it suits his best interests--and his main interests are power and money.When the film begins, Sanders is almost broke and with a low-paying job. However, when an old friend (John Carradine) meets him in a café, he offers to help him get a job on his newspaper--a chance for more money and to meet the right people. And, slowly, Sanders begins to work his way upwards--mostly by marrying or wooing the right women. The most fascinating was when his friend died--and just seconds later, he proposes to the widow! And, to make it worse, the body is lying next to them! This sort of thing and much more make up the rest of the film--an entertaining soap opera throughout. My only reservation is that the latter film is just a lot better--with less slow moments and a character who is even more unlikable and scheming! By the way, a scene to look for is when they unveil 'The Temptation of St. Anthony'. The painting is in full color within a black & white film--like the picture in "The Portrait of Dorian Gray". Because of this, it's VERY striking--especially with its very intense reds. This an other versions of this scene (it was a popular theme during the Renaissance) are very disturbing to see for the average person--but also very compelling and emotive.

The Private Affairs of Bel Ami gave George Sanders to play a leading role as Guy de Maupassant's gentleman cad who rises in Parisian society over the bodies of a number of seduced and abandoned women. Sanders is a former dragoon who uses his charm to acquire money and power and in the end a title of minor nobility in Third Republic France. The one woman whom he truly loves, Angela Lansbury, is forever lost to him. Would she have brought him real happiness? It's for the audience to judge.The comparisons between Bel Ami and Sanders's Oscar winning Addison DeWitt have to be made. Both men are cynics about human nature, but whereas theater critic DeWitt is an observer and a behind the scenes manipulator of others, Bel Ami is doing it all for his own advancement. Both performances have that touch of cad about them and they rank as some of the best work George Sanders did.Look for good performances from John Carradine as Sanders's only true male friend and Angela Lansbury who he loves, but who can't give him the social standing he needs.Also of course look for Warren William in his farewell role as Sanders's main antagonist. A not very brave, but a fairly shrewd sort, Sanders regularly bests him until the very end.The Private Affairs of Bel Ami was a rather daring film for Code run Hollywood, it doesn't surprise me it was an independent movie, released by United Artists.Fans of The Eternal Cad George Sanders will eat it up.