Young Jean Simmons and her brother, David Tomlinson, arrive in Paris for the opening of the 1889 Exposition. Oddly, however, the next morning when Simmons awakens, he is gone. Odder still, the people at the hotel tell her that her brother NEVER checked in and she was alone! Naturally something is amiss, but when Jean looks for his room, it is gone and there is no evidence to prove he was ever there. When she goes to the British Consulate and police, they both understandably think she might be crazy as she cannot prove any of her assertions that he was kidnapped. You really find yourself feeling for Simmons' character and she is about to give up hope when she stumbles upon a person (Dirk Bogarde) who saw Tomlinson and can prove she is not losing her mind. Now here is where the writing falters a bit, as you'd think she'd immediately take Bogarde to the authorities. But due to bizarre movie logic, Bogarde goes under cover and investigates the matter like he's a detective--and puts himself potentially in harm's way. In other words, he's the only proof of a conspiracy and yet he could get himself killed by investigating himself. Regardless, the film does work and the conclusion as to where Tomlinson is and why he was taken works out well--making the film seem rather credible. This is a nice little mystery--worth your time due to good acting and an interestingly original story idea.
Review of So Long at the Fair
