Joan Fontaine and Joseph Cotten star as two Americans vacationing in Italy who meet on a return flight from Rome to New York. The pair disembark in Naples, where the plane makes an emergency stop for repairs.
While the plane is grounded, Fontaine and Cotten (A) decide to go for lunch; (B) enjoy each other’s company a little too much; (C) overestimate the amount of time it takes to repair the plane; and (D) surprise! They miss the flight to NYC.
Alas, the repairs didn’t quite do the trick. After taking off from Naples, the plane crashes, killing everyone on board.
Now this presents an interesting scenario: Fontaine and Cotten have already fallen in love. If everyone they know thinks they died in a plane crash, could they not live an incognito life in a romantic Italian villa? Who would ever find out?
After all, Cotten’s got buckets of cash, and Fontaine speaks fluent Italian. Nothing can interfere with their Love.
Nothing, that is, except for two minor details: Cotten’s wife (Jessica Tandy) and teenage son (Robert Arthur) who are in New York, Holding The Bag.
Not only must they cope with the news of his death, they must learn to run Cotten’s manufacturing empire without him.
Jessica Tandy (left) travels to Italy to Get Some Answers. Image: Pinterest
Here’s the thing about Tandy-as-Wife: She’s not glam and beautiful, like Fontaine. She’s plain in appearance and manner, and seems thoroughly unremarkable.
But she ain’t. After Cotten’s supposed demise, she takes over the managing of the manufacturing company, and she’s good at it. Not only that, she’s able to preserve her loving relationship with her son.
Additionally, she wants Answers about a sizeable cheque that Cotten had written to a woman in Florence around the time of his “death”. So she Goes to Florence – not out of anger, but to gain Closure – bracing herself for what she might discover.
This is where things get Interesting. Tandy pays a surprise visit to Fontaine’s friend and mentor (Françoise Rosay), the woman to whom Cotten had written the cheque. However, Fontaine happens to be in the apartment when Tandy arrives, and she refuses to be ushered out. She’s Very Curious about Cotten’s wife.
Besides, as Fontaine rightly points out, Tandy wouldn’t know who she is. Fontaine is safely anonymous.
To put it another way, Fontaine wants to gawk at her lover’s wife, a woman whose last communication with her husband was in regards to a divorce, and who’s now trying to piece together his final days when he went to Italy Without Her.
It’s kind of twisted, the way Fontaine wants to wedge herself inside this woman’s private grief.
Almost as twisted as Cotten allowing his teenage son to believe his father is dead.
Joan dreams of being a pianist – if she weren’t so fearful. Image: Deep13Movies
September Affair is notable for a few reasons. First, it’s not a horrible movie. In fact, it’s quite engrossing, and the ambiguous ending is both surprising and satisfactory.
Secondly, this was shot entirely in Italy, and looks it. The scenery is gorgeous. (So is the wardrobe, designed by the fab Edith Head.)
During filming, says IMDb, Cotten and Fontaine had lunch with filmmaker Orson Welles, who was in Italy to convince businessmen to invest in his new film, Othello. Welles hoped the presence of the Hollywood stars would impress the men, which it did, but better than that, Winston Churchill happened to be lunching in the same restaurant. Welles made a point of passing Churchill’s table and greeting him enthusiastically, even though the two hadn’t previously met.
Welles’s gamble paid off. He secured funding, and Cotten and Fontaine agreed to make uncredited appearances in Othello, while working on September Affair.
This film is definitely a morality tale, but it’s not one of those overwrought filmed-in-a-foreign country affairs that became popular in the 1950s.
We encourage you to see September Affair. We think you’ll like it.
September Affair: starringJoan Fontaine, Joseph Cotten, Françoise Rosay. Directed by William Dieterle. Written by Robert Thoeren. Paramount Pictures, 1950, B&W, 105 mins.
Haha! Yes, they are well matched. I just did not like the idea of the son being treated that way, but (spoiler!) it is the son, ironically, who discovers the truth…
When I was younger this movie had me in its clutches. I thought it was utterly romantic. The music and the scenery really take you there.
The part with the son is very cringey and real, and wakes you up, doesn’t it?
Update: So I saw September Affair and I did enjoy it! The scenery was beautiful and it really did feel like I escaped with Joan and Joe to Italy. Although, I was hoping for even more payoff and drama in the end. (I told you I like crazy plots haha!) But you are so right, it is very unique and well done!
I’m so glad you saw it, and I’m relieved you enjoyed it. The ending is a bit of a let-down, isn’t it, considering the fireworks that could have gone off.
I liked it. The premise of the movie is intriguing. It’s such a good idea that I’m surprised no one has remade it yet (maybe they should substitute the plane crash with the September 11 attacks).
Silver Screenings 
Wonderful post
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Thanks! This is actually a pretty good film, and even if you don’t like the story, the Italian landscape makes up for it. 🙂
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This does sound as intriguing as your title.. the almost part and the plot . Now I have to see this .
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Gill, I think you’d like this one. It’s not entirely predictable, and the Italian landscape is scrumptious.
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Sounds good as I recently saw Joan Fontaine in Rebecca, and I am keen to see more of her movies.
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The two main characters sound kind of despicable! They make a good match!
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Haha! Yes, they are well matched. I just did not like the idea of the son being treated that way, but (spoiler!) it is the son, ironically, who discovers the truth…
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I have never heard of this film until now. Thanks for brining it to my attention.
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It’s well worth it. The acting is good, and that Italian scenery! Fabulous.
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I love all your backstory insights. And this cracked me up: “September Affair is notable for a few reasons. First, it’s not a horrible movie.”
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Haha! Yes, clearly I was expecting very little of this film, and was pleasantly surprised.
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I have never seen this movie! Honestly, I can’t imagine how I missed it given the stars and when it was made. It certainly sounds intriguing!
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Rick, I am kind of surprised by that. But I think you’d find merit in this film if you were to see it.
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The just don’t make them like this anymore. Bring back the good ole days!
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Hear hear! This is an enjoyable, well-crafted film that doesn’t drag.
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When I was younger this movie had me in its clutches. I thought it was utterly romantic. The music and the scenery really take you there.
The part with the son is very cringey and real, and wakes you up, doesn’t it?
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Yeah, I’ve never been comfortable with that part between E.T. and Elliot. But the music and sound editing are truly amazing, like you said.
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I’m referring to Joseph Cotton’s character, and his son
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Oof! Doh! Got my wires crossed there… 🤪
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It must have been a dream to have been part of the production team on this film, flitting from 1950’s Rome to Naples to Capri to Florence. Bellissima!
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Oh yeah! Wouldn’t that have been amazing? All that beautiful scenery, plus all that great food…
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Ruth, this crazy plot sounds right up my alley! Thanks for bringing September Affair to my attention through your fabulous review.
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Oh yeah, you’ve gotta see this one! It’s so well done.
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Update: So I saw September Affair and I did enjoy it! The scenery was beautiful and it really did feel like I escaped with Joan and Joe to Italy. Although, I was hoping for even more payoff and drama in the end. (I told you I like crazy plots haha!) But you are so right, it is very unique and well done!
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I’m so glad you saw it, and I’m relieved you enjoyed it. The ending is a bit of a let-down, isn’t it, considering the fireworks that could have gone off.
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Beautiful post
Loved it
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Thanks for dropping by. I hope you’re having a good weekend. 🙂
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I love how you focus on old films and offer interesting perspectives on the storylines and characters through these snapshots of thought!
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Thanks! I love old films, and love sharing rhem with others.
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I liked it. The premise of the movie is intriguing. It’s such a good idea that I’m surprised no one has remade it yet (maybe they should substitute the plane crash with the September 11 attacks).
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It is surprising this film hasn’t been remade, as you say. It’s a timeless idea, and could work well in today’s film landscape.
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