The Silken Affair

1956 British film by Roy Kellino

RKO Radio Pictures (UK)
Distributors Corporation of America (US)

Release dates

2 October 1956 (1956-10-02) (London, UK)
2 September 1957 (1957-09-02) (US)

Running time

96 minutesCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglishBudget$500,000^[1]

The Silken Affair is a 1956 British romantic comedy film directed by Roy Kellino and starring David Niven, Geneviève Page, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Joan Sims, Irene Handl and Ronald Squire.^[2]^[3] The screenplay concerns an accountant who is creative with his firm's books and uses the money to fund a romantic spree.

Cast

David Niven as Roger Tweakham
Geneviève Page as Genevieve Gerard
Ronald Squire as Marberry
Beatrice Straight as Theora
Wilfrid Hyde-White as Sir Horace Hogg
Howard Marion-Crawford as Baggott
Dorothy Alison as Mrs. Tweakham
Miles Malleson as Mr. Blucher
Richard Wattis as Worthington
Joan Sims as Lady Barber
Irene Handl as Receptionist
Charles Carson as Judge
Harry Locke as Tobacconist
Martin Boddey as Detective

Critical reception

In the Radio Times, David McGillivray called it a "frivolous romantic comedy," in which, "the theme was exploited much more effectively 20 years later in Jonathan Demme's Something Wild",^[4] while TV Guide wrote, "This film tries to be a light, stylish British comedy in the sophisticated manner that is one of Britain's best exports; however, the plot is too implausible and the script doesn't give the actors much to work with. The direction compensates somewhat in a handsome looking production. The cast does give it their all, with Niven in his usual witty performance and international leading lady Page as the love interest, winning kudos from the critics for her debut in English films".^[5]