The Delavine Affair

The Delavine Affair is a 1955 British second feature crime film directed by Douglas Peirce and starring Peter Reynolds, Honor Blackman and Gordon Jackson. The screenplay was by George Fisher and Basil Boothroyd, based on the 1952 novel Winter Wears a Shroud by Robert Chapman.

Plot
Journalist Rex Banner, with the aid of his wife Maxine, attempts to solve a jewel robbery, but the criminals try to frame Rex for their murder of a witness.

Cast

 * Peter Reynolds as Rex Banner
 * Honor Blackman as Maxine Banner
 * Gordon Jackson as Florian
 * Valerie Vernon as Lola
 * Michael Balfour as Sammy
 * Peter Neil as Inspector Johnson
 * Peter Swanwick as Meyerling
 * Laurie Main as Summit
 * Katie Johnson as Mrs. Bissett
 * Mark Daly as Mr. Bissett
 * Anna Turner as Mrs Halloran
 * Mai Bacon as Fanny
 * Hal Osmond as old man
 * Vernon Kelso as Macgregor
 * Christie Humphrey as maid

Production
The film was produced at Walton Studios and on location in West London, including Kensington and West Brompton. Sets were designed by the art director John Stoll.

Critical reception
Monthly Film Bulletin said: "A murder comedy-melodrama on familiar lines. The story is seldom very plausible, coincidence reaches out with a long arm, and the developments and the solution have their vague aspects. The film, though, is reasonably bright in tone, and the playing of the principals to some extent makes up in enthusiasm for what it lacks in polish."

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Witty comedy-thriller with over-familiar plot but polished performances."

TV Guide gave the film two out of five stars, noting a "Routine crime drama."