Review of The Arnelo Affair

I was drawn to the Arnelo Affair by John Hodiak, I've always enjoyed his performances. Unfortunately, he was absolutely flat this time out, with a total lack of passion for his role. However, the main problem was Frances Gifford as the leading lady, Anne Parkson. She should have taken acting lessons from Joan Crawford! Joan would have made this chunk of coal sparkle like a diamond. Gifford had no charisma, no glamour, no allure, nothing that the role begged for. The only good thing I can say about Gifford is that she was marginally better than if either Shirley Booth or Shirley Temple played Anne Parkson.

Dean Stockwell as Ricky Parkson was the only highlight in the Arnelo Affair. A welcome peek at his wonderful career that would follow.

George Murphy as Ted Parkson was totally miscast. He never showed any romantic interest in his wife, Anne, until the very last scene of the movie that seemed so out of place, and out of character. Murphy is the total opposite of Hodiak as an actor: no style, no vitality, not a leading man in any sense of the word. I would describe Murphy more like a prop than even a supporting actor.

I saw the picture all the way through waiting for the big payoff that I knew John Hodiak and Eve Arden could deliver, but it never arrived. "B" picture status for the Arnelo Affair is far beyond the reach of this turkey.