The Affair (1973 film)

*The Affair*
The Affair
Genre	Drama; Romance
Written by	Barbara Turner
Directed by	Gilbert Cates
Starring	Natalie Wood; Robert Wagner; Bruce Davison; Jamie Smith-Jackson
Music by	George Aliceson Tipton
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Aaron Spelling; Leonard Goldberg
Cinematography	Gerald Hirschfeld
Editor	Folmar Blangsted
Running time	74 minutes
Production company	Spelling-Goldberg Productions
Budget	$765,000
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	November 20, 1973

The Affair is a 1973 American TV movie directed by Gilbert Cates and starring Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, Bruce Davison and Jamie Smith-Jackson.

The film starred Natalie Wood in her first appearance since Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Her co-star was Robert Wagner, her first husband whom she recently remarried.^[2]

Plot

Courtney Patterson is a beautiful 32 year old songwriter who is physically disabled due to polio. Her condition has made her emotionally guarded, but when she meets Marcus Simon, a handsome older attorney, she cautiously moves towards romance. Although Courtney remains wary of intimacy, Marcus slowly wins her over. Unfortunately, her family is not supportive of their relationship, providing yet another obstacle that the couple must overcome.

Marcus Simon (Wagner) meets Courtney when he is briefly employed by the family to handle a legal matter for them. Both of them are timid about approaching romance - Courtney because of her medical condition; Marcus because his wife recently left him for another man and took their two sons with her. A family dinner establishes that there is some tension between Courtney's wealthy parents (Kent Smith, Frances Reid) and their two children. Courtney's younger brother (Davison) is an aspiring artist who disdains the family fortune and lives simply with his girlfriend Jennifer (Jackson).

Courtney and Marcus rent a luxury cottage and begin seeing each other regularly. Just as Courtney is getting used to the comfort of romance, Marcus attends the wedding of his ex-wife and is made fun of by the new groom for being "inadequate".

A jumpy Marcus calls off the relationship. Courtney makes a halfhearted attempt at suicide by slashing her wrists. Her brother looks after her - saying Marcus has been calling regularly and "He'll come if you want him to come".

The film ends with the question of their resuming their relationship unanswered.

Cast

Natalie Wood as Courtney Patterson
Robert Wagner as Marcus Simon
Bruce Davison as Jamie Patterson
Jamie Smith-Jackson as Jennifer (as Jamie Smith Jackson)
Pat Harrington Jr. as Frank (as Pat Harrington)
Kent Smith as Mr. Patterson
Paul Ryan as Bobbie
Frances Reid as Mrs. Patterson
Mark Roberts as Howard
Anna Aries as Annie Simon
Steve Riskas as Peter
Brett Ericson as Evan
Robert Stull as Michael
Anna Karen as Willa
Paul Pepper as Engineer
Suzanne Taylor as Hostess (as Sue Taylor)
Victoria Carroll as First Man's Wife
Keith Walker as First Man
Marland Proctor as Second Man

Production

Wagner and Wood made the film for Spelling-Goldberg Productions, which offered them a development deal for a series in which they did not appear. The series ended up being Charlie's Angels.^[3]

It was originally called Love Song. The film's budget was twice the normal amount of the typical TV movie with Sir Lew Grade supplying the balance to enable the film to be released theatrically outside the US.^[1]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times wrote "Natalie Wood turns in what is perhaps her finest performance to date."^[4]

Wagner and Wood had remarried (2nd time) shortly before shooting began. As "marrieds", this may explain how some daring-for-the-time bedroom scenes remained in the film.

References

^ ^a ^b Working Vacation for Natalie Wood Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 26 Sep 1973: e17.
^ Haber, J. (Nov 19, 1973). "Sinatra: A friend in need indeed". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 157466753.
^ Haber, J. (Nov 25, 1973). "Nat and bob--together again for the first time". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 157337681.
^ Thomas, K. (Nov 20, 1973). "TV MOVIE REVIEW". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 157385350.

External links

The Affair at IMDb

[affair-1] Working Vacation for Natalie Wood Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 26 Sep 1973: e17.

[2] Haber, J. (Nov 19, 1973). "Sinatra: A friend in need indeed". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 157466753.

[3] Haber, J. (Nov 25, 1973). "Nat and bob--together again for the first time". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 157337681.

[4] Thomas, K. (Nov 20, 1973). "TV MOVIE REVIEW". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 157385350.

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v t e Works produced by Aaron Spelling
Feature films	Guns of the Timberland (1960) California Split (1974) Baby Blue Marine (1976) Mr. Mom (1983) 'night, Mother (1986) Surrender (1987) Three O'Clock High (1987) Cross My Heart (1987) Satisfaction (1988) Loose Cannons (1990) Soapdish (1991) The Mod Squad (1999) Charlie's Angels (2000)
TV series	Zane Grey Theatre (1956–61) Johnny Ringo (1959–60) The Dick Powell Show (1961–63) The Lloyd Bridges Show (1962–63) Burke's Law (1963–66) Honey West (1965–66) The Smothers Brothers Show (1965–66) Rango (1967) The Guns of Will Sonnett (1967–69) The Mod Squad (1968–73) The New People (1969–70) The Young Rebels (1970–71) The Most Deadly Game (1970–71) The Rookies (1972–76) Chopper One (1974) Firehouse (1974) S.W.A.T. (1975–76) Starsky & Hutch (1975–79) Family (1976–80) Charlie's Angels (1976–81) Fantasy Island (1977–84) The San Pedro Beach Bums (1977) The Love Boat (1977–87) Vegas (1978–81) Friends (1979) Hart to Hart (1979–84) B.A.D. Cats (1980) Dynasty (1981–89) Aloha Paradise (1981) Strike Force (1981–82) T. J. Hooker (1982–86) Matt Houston (1982–85) At Ease (1983) Hotel (1983–88) Glitter (1984–85) Finder of Lost Loves (1984–85) MacGruder and Loud (1985) Hollywood Beat (1985) The Colbys (1985–87) Life with Lucy (1986) CBS Summer Playhouse (1987) HeartBeat (1988–89) Nightingales (1989) Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000) Melrose Place (1992–99) 2000 Malibu Road (1992) Hearts Are Wild (1992) The Heights (1992) The Round Table (1992) Burke's Law (1994–95) Winnetka Road (1994) Models Inc. (1994–95) Robin's Hoods (1994–95) Heaven Help Us (1994) Madman of the People (1994–95) University Hospital (1995) Savannah (1996–97) Malibu Shores (1996) Kindred: The Embraced (1996) 7th Heaven (1996–2007) Sunset Beach (1997–99) Pacific Palisades (1997) Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998–99) Buddy Faro (1998) Charmed (1998–2006) Rescue 77 (1999) Safe Harbor (1999) Forbidden Island (1999) Titans (2000–01) All Souls (2001) Queens Supreme (2003) Kingpin (2003) 10-8: Officers on Duty (2003–04) Summerland (2004–05) Clubhouse (2004–05) Wanted (2005)
TV films	Cricket on the Hearth (1967) The Over-the-Hill Gang (1969) Wake Me When the War Is Over (1969) The Monk (1969) The Pigeon (1969) The Ballad of Andy Crocker (1969) Carter's Army (1970) The Love War (1970) How Awful About Allan (1970) But I Don't Want to Get Married! (1970) The Old Man Who Cried Wolf (1970) Wild Women (1970) The House That Would Not Die (1970) The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again (1970) Crowhaven Farm (1970) Run, Simon, Run (1970) Love Hate Love (1971) Yuma (1971) River of Gold (1971) Congratulations, It's a Boy! (1971) Five Desperate Women (1971) The Last Child (1971) A Taste of Evil (1971) In Broad Daylight (1971) The Death of Me Yet (1971) The Reluctant Heroes (1971) If Tomorrow Comes (1971) The Trackers (1971) Two for the Money (1972) The Daughters of Joshua Cabe (1972) No Place to Run (1972) Say Goodbye, Maggie Cole (1972) Rolling Man (1972) The Bounty Man (1972) Home for the Holidays (1972) Every Man Needs One (1972) A Cold Night's Death (1973) Snatched (1973) The Great American Beauty Contest (1973) The Letters (1973) The Bait (1973) Satan's School for Girls (1973) Hijack! (1973) Letters from Three Lovers (1973) The Affair (1973) Death Squad (1974) The Fireman's Ball (1974) Cry Panic (1974) The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped (1974) Savages (1974) Death Sentence (1974) Hit Lady (1974) Death Cruise (1974) Only with Married Men (1974) The Daughters of Joshua Cabe Return (1975) Murder on Flight 502 (1975) The Legend of Valentino (1975) One of My Wives Is Missing (1975) 33 Hours in the Life of God (1976) The Sad and Lonely Sundays (1976) Death at Love House (1976) The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe (1976) The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) Little Ladies of the Night (1977) The Love Boat II (1977) The San Pedro Beach Bums (1977) The Users (1978) Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape Kid (1978) Wild and Wooly (1978) Cruise Into Terror (1978) The Power Within (1979) Beach Patrol (1979) Love's Savage Fury (1979) The Return of the Mod Squad (1979) Murder Can Hurt You! (1980) Waikiki (1980) Casino (1980) The Best Little Girl in the World (1981) Sizzle (1981) Don't Go to Sleep (1982) The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch (1982) Massarati and the Brain (1982) Shooting Stars (1983) Making of a Male Model (1983) Venice Medical (1983) Dark Mirror (1984) Velvet (1984) International Airport (1985) Mr. and Mrs. Ryan (1986) Dark Mansions (1986) The Hope Division (1987) Cracked Up (1987) Harry's Hong Kong (1987) The Loner (1987) Day One (1989) Just Temporary (1989) Rich Men, Single Women (1990) The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage (1990) Jailbirds (1991) Back to the Streets of San Francisco (1992) Grass Roots (1992) And the Band Played On (1993) A Stranger in the Mirror (1993) Gulf City (1993) Jane's House (1994) Love on the Run (1994) Green Dolphin Beat (1994) Texas (1994) Crosstown Traffic (1995) Pier 66 (1996) After Jimmy (1996) Odd Jobs (1997) Satan's School for Girls (2000) Stop at Nothing (2001) The Law and Mr. Lee (2003) Hotel (2003) Silver Lake (2004) Hitched (2005) Bounty Hunters (2005) Split Decision (2006)
TV miniseries	The French Atlantic Affair (1979) Hollywood Wives (1985) Crossings (1986) Dynasty: The Reunion (1991) The Invaders (1995) A Season in Purgatory (1996)