This Is My Affair is a crime drama set during the final years of President William McKinley’s administration. The story follows a naval officer who is secretly assigned by the president to infiltrate and expose a violent Midwest bank-robbing gang. As he assumes a criminal identity and gains the trust of the gang, he falls in love with a nightclub singer closely connected to them, setting up a dangerous conflict between duty, deception, and romance.
Genre: Crime / Drama / Romance
Director: William A. Seiter
William A. Seiter was a prolific American director whose career spanned silent films and talkies, working across genres from musicals and romantic comedies to crime dramas. Known for his light touch with performers and solid command of pacing, he directed well-known films such as Roberta, Room Service, and Allegheny Uprising. Though often associated with lighter fare, This Is My Affair stands as one of his more serious dramatic works.
Star Cast:
- Robert Taylor as Lt. Richard L. Perry
- Barbara Stanwyck as Lil Duryea
- Victor McLaglen as Batiste Duryea
- Brian Donlevy as Jock Ramsay
- Sidney Blackmer as Attorney General Charles Judson
- John Carradine as Gus
The film was well received at the time, particularly for its engaging mix of crime and romance and the chemistry between Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor—who would later marry in real life. Audiences appreciated its historical setting and patriotic undertones, and critics praised the tight plotting and strong performances, especially from Stanwyck and McLaglen.
Fun Facts:
- This film marked one of the early pairings of Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor, who married in 1939 and became one of Hollywood’s most high-profile couples.
- The film was based loosely on actual early 20th-century federal investigations into organized crime and bank robberies.
- The story includes a fictionalized portrayal of President William McKinley, adding a historical-political layer unusual for crime films of the time.
- Victor McLaglen, known for playing tough, brawling characters, received particular notice for his nuanced portrayal of a conflicted criminal figure.
- This Is My Affair was praised for blending action, historical intrigue, and romance at a time when crime dramas were often more straightforward.
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