The Fan (Preminger, 1949) DVD, 1949

In the prim morning rooms of Victorian London, scandal is a hanging offence. So when her husband is associated with notorious gadabout Mrs. Erlynne (Carroll), Lady Meg Windermere (Crain) takes the drastic step of taking up with the caddish Lord Robert Darlington (who else but George Sanders?). There is more to her husband’s impropriety than she imagines however; soon it will be her ladyship’s honour at risk.

The Fan is an oddity in Preminger’s filmography. Adapted from Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan, it is a comedy of manners from a director better known for his excursions into impolite society. Not that Preminger plays it as a zesty romp: the actors are low key and almost naturalistic. The film never betrays its theatrical origins, framing the action as a flashback related by Mrs Erlynne. Although the script was written by Dorothy Parker, a wit to rank alongside Oscar himself, Preminger is more interested in the characters than the bon-mots they spout. It’s an uncharacteristic film but a thoroughly worthwhile one.

Barney Kelly on 20th December 2008
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Preminger's version of Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan is an intriguing find; the director's personal ranking of the film in his career is ungenerous: it now seems civil... more >

Preminger's version of Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan is an intriguing find; the director's personal ranking of the film in his career is ungenerous: it now seems civilised, intelligent and memorable, with some impressive playing (notably from the ever-reliable George Sanders). < less

View all 513 of Barry Forshaw’s reviews