1963 British film by John Krish
The Wild Affair is a 1965 British comedy film written and directed by John Krish and starring Nancy Kwan, Terry-Thomas, Jimmy Logan, Gladys Morgan, and Betty Marsden.[2] It was adapted from the 1961 novel The Last Hours of Sandra Lee by William Sansom.[3] Filmed in 1963,[4] the film's release was delayed, finally opening in cinemas nationwide on 7 November 1965. The film went on to open in London cinemas from 28 November 1965.[1]
Plot
Secretary Marjorie Lee (Kwan) is engaged, but wants to have a fling before her wedding. She decides to attend the office holiday party, where her boss is the one who approaches her.[5]
Production
In 1963, Nancy Kwan's long hair, famous from The World of Suzie Wong (1960), was chopped into a sharp modernist bob by Vidal Sassoon for the film The Wild Affair, at the request of director John Krish. The image of her new hairstyle was published in the October editions of both American and British Vogue.[6][1] Vidal's new hairstyle was previously called the "Mary Quant cut", as it had first featured in her fashion show, but became known as the "Nancy Kwan cut".[1]
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Perhaps with someone other than Nancy Kwan in the leading role, this might have been a mildly effective cautionary tale about lower-middle-class aspirations to la dolce vita. As it is, her personality is too winsome by far, and the 'daring' dress which causes all those raised eyebrows at the office looks just about right for a children's picnic. The whole final sequence of the ghastly office party is really rather well directed, but has nothing much behind it. There is a good performance by Betty Marsden in that familiar role of the ageing spinster pining with hopeless love for her boss."[7]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Before her wedding, secretary Nancy Kwan decides to have a final fling, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by an office party. Kwan was not the best choice for the lead and, this being the early 1960s, the affair is not as wild as it pretends to be. But after a slow start, the party atmosphere becomes infectious, mainly because of a wealth of comedy talent. Wonderful Terry-Thomas plays the boss and his staff includes some giants of the British music-hall (Bud Flanagan, Jimmy Logan, Gladys Morgan)"[8]
British film critic Leslie Halliwell said: "Curious little comedy-drama which plays almost like The Road to Ruin [1934] and has an attractive but miscast leading lady. Interesting elements."[9]
Videohound deemed the film "more silly than sexy."[5]
