So Long at the Fair (US re-release title The Black Curse) is a 1950 British thriller film directed by Terence Fisher and Antony Darnborough, and starring Jean Simmons and Dirk Bogarde. It was adapted from the 1947 novel of the same name by Anthony Thorne.

Origin

The general plot derives from what appears to be a 19th-century urban legend, known variously as "The Vanishing Hotel Room" or "The Vanishing Lady", which has inspired several fictional works.

The first published version of the story was written by Nancy Vincent McClelland as "A Mystery of the Paris Exposition" in The Philadelphia Inquirer dated 14 November 1897. It next appeared in the Detroit Free Press in 1898 as "Porch Tales: The Disappearance of Mrs. Kneeb", by Kenneth Herford. Fearful that news of a case of plague would be disastrous for the Exposition, Madame Hervé and the doctor whisked Johnny away in secrecy to a rundown Parisian hospital, checking him in under a false name. She then worked with her staff to conceal the fact that Johnny had ever been at her hotel.

George brings Doctor Hart to the hospital, who examines Johnny and tells Vicky her brother has a chance of living. During this time, a romance has developed between George and Vicky.

Cast

  • Jean Simmons as Vicky Barton
  • Dirk Bogarde as George Hathaway
  • David Tomlinson as Johnny Barton
  • Marcel Poncin as Narcisse
  • Cathleen Nesbitt as Madame Hervé
  • Honor Blackman as Rhoda O'Donovan
  • Betty Warren as Mrs. O'Donovan
  • Zena Marshall as Nina
  • Eugene Deckers as Day Porter
  • Felix Aylmer as British Consul
  • André Morell as Doctor Hart
  • Austin Trevor as Police Commissaire
  • Natasha Sokolova as Charlotte
  • Nelly Arno as Madame Verni

Music

The music, by Benjamin Frankel, includes a sequence accompanying a ride in a carriage which went on to become a popular light concert item under the title Carriage and Pair.

Production

Betty Box was appointed producer at the last minute when Antony Darborough was held up on The Astonished Heart. The film was to have cast Françoise Rosay but she dropped out to go to Hollywood.

It was shot at Pinewood Studios. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Cedric Dawe and George Provis. The costumes were designed by Elizabeth Haffenden.

Reception

The film performed solidly at the box office.