Affair in Trinidad

Affair in Trinidad is a 1952 American film noir directed by Vincent Sherman and starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. It was produced by Hayworth's Beckworth Corporation and released by Columbia Pictures.[2] It is notable as Hayworth's "comeback" film after four years away from Columbia,[3] as a re-teaming of the Gilda (1946) co-stars, and for a fiery opening number danced barefoot by Hayworth to calypso music.[4] Hayworth's singing voice is dubbed by Jo Ann Greer, who later also sang for her in Miss Sadie Thompson and Pal Joey. The film's gross take at the box office exceeded Gilda's by one million dollars.[5]

Affair in Trinidad
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVincent Sherman
Produced byVincent Sherman
Rita Hayworth
Screenplay byBerne Giler
James Gunn
Story byVirginia Van Upp
Berne Giler
StarringRita Hayworth
Glenn Ford
Alexander Scourby
CinematographyJoseph Walker
Edited byViola Lawrence
Color processBlack and white
Production
company
The Beckworth Corporation
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • July 29, 1952 (1952-07-29)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.2 million
Box office$7 million (domestic receipts)[1]

Plot

The film is set in Trinidad and Tobago while it was still a British colony. Chris Emery (Rita Hayworth) works as a nightclub singer and dancer. One night after her performance she receives news from Inspector Smythe (Torin Thatcher) and Anderson (Howard Wendell), a member of the American consulate, that her husband Neil was found dead. She is comforted by Neil's friend Max Fabian (Alexander Scourby).

Initially, the police conclude that Neil committed suicide based on his gunshot wound and due to a pistol at the crime scene. On further investigation they discover that Neil was in fact murdered. Inspector Smythe and Anderson take Chris into confidence and inform her that Neil's boat was seen outside Fabian's property at the time of his murder. Chris learns that Fabian is in fact a crook who has built his fortune by trading information and aiding in treason and that Neil could have been murdered due to his involvement in Fabian's latest project. Chris agrees to exploit Fabian's love for her to gather information for the police.[6]

Meanwhile, Neil's brother Steve Emery (Glenn Ford) arrives in Trinidad at the request of his brother who had written to him about a prospective job. He is shocked to learn that his brother committed suicide shortly after writing to him and sets out to investigate matters on his own. After the inquest Chris and Steve spend some time together. Though she starts falling in love with Steve, Chris is unable to reveal to him her motive behind getting friendly with Fabian.

As Chris inches closer to discovering the truth about Fabian, Steve gathers proof of Fabian's involvement in Neil's death. This leads to a showdown in the climax.

Cast

Reception

Box office

The film earned an estimated $2.7 million at the North American box office in 1952.[7]

Music
  • I've Been Kissed Before - written by Lester Lee and Bob Russell; performed by Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Jo Ann Greer).
  • Trinidad Lady - written by Lester Lee and Bob Russell; performed by Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Jo Ann Greer).

References
  1. "Affair in Trinidad (1952) - Articles". TCM.com. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  2. Silver, Alain (2010). Film Noir: The Encyclopedia. p. 27. ISBN 978-0715638804.
  3. "Affair In Trinidad: Review". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2011-11-29.
  4. "Martini Movies - Movies - Affair in Trinidad". Sony Pictures. Archived from the original on 2011-08-24. Retrieved 2011-11-29.
  5. Affair in Trinidad at the American Film Institute Catalog.
  6. Bosley Crowther (1952-07-31). "Movie Review - Affair in Trinidad - The Screen in Review; Columbia's 'Affair in Trinidad' at the Victoria Brings Rita Hayworth Back to Screen". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2011-11-29.
  7. 'Top Box-Office Hits of 1952', Variety, January 7, 1953
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