writers_reign Not for the first time and very probably not for the last it would appear that the majority of viewers who have posted reports on this film watched a different movie to the one I watched. For one thing I was unable to detect any chemistry between Bogarde and Simmons whilst several posters praised the superabundance. This brings us to the plot; Simmons arrives in Paris with brother David Tomlinson. Having registered at their hotel albeit Tomlinson conveniently omits to sign the register, they spend a day at the Exposition, which is the main reason they have come to Paris. This means that we, the audience, have been watching Tomlinson for a little over one reel, so when the next morning not only Tomlinson but also his very hotel room have completely vanished and the hotel staff swear to a man that Simmons arrived alone, we know very well this is a lie. The plot thus falls at the first hurdle. How much more effective if we ourselves never actually see Tomlinson but see Simmons talking to an offscreen brother so that we find it much easier to doubt Simmons sanity. The denoument is equally risible as rather than denying his existence to the authorities the hotel owner wuld be conspiring with the authorities in order to avoid panic.

HotToastyRag In this mystery thriller from Betty E. Box, producer of the exciting The Clouded Yellow, Jean Simmons and her brother David Tomlinson travel to Paris on vacation. It takes place in the 1800s, back before folks were allowed to walk up the Eiffel Tower, so it would have been highly unusual and improper for a young woman to travel alone. They check into a bustling hotel, and in the commotion, David forgets to sign the register, leaving Jean to sign it alone. They unpack, go to dinner, and then retire to their separate rooms for the night.The next morning, Jean goes across the hall to wake her brother, but his room has disappeared. Literally, there's nothing but wallpaper in its place. The hotel proprietress claims Jean checked in alone, and none of the staff remember her brother's existence. Dumb dumb dumb. . .So Long at the Fair is a very entertaining mystery that will keep you tense until the end. It has a very British feel to it, because besides Jean Simmons, everyone keeps a stiff upper lip despite the very strange situation. Jean Simmons does a very good job as an innocent girl trying to take matters into her own hands for the first time, and joining the supporting cast is Dirk Bogarde, Honor Blackman, and Cathleen Nesbitt. Pick this one up when you're in the mood for a Hitchcock-esque film minus the psychosis and adding in beautiful dresses.

clanciai Brilliant thriller of suspense increasing all the way, until the absurd mystery ends up in a most surprising explanation. The best mysteries are the deepest and most inexplicable ones that all the same finally reveal a most logical solution. Jean Simmons' situation is really quite upsetting, she couldn't be more helpless in her predicament, but fortunately there is Dirk Bogarde at hand in a typical role of his as an English painter in Paris. The French people are also quite convincing, and fortunately they even speak French. It's easy for a foreigner to get lost in Paris with always strange things going on and bodies being fished up from the Seine almost every other day, and here there is even a world exhibition going on with the premiere of the Eiffel Tower and an awful balloon accident on top of that disposing of a key witness to add to poor Jean Simmons troubles... It's an ingenious intrigue, and every detail is important. It's vital that you don't miss anything of what is said in any conversation, since every piece in this puzzle is indispensable to the whole picture.

MartinHafer 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.