Her Private Affair

After a torrid affair with playboy Arnold Hartmann, Vera Kessler has reconciled with her husband. Arnold is not so quick to forgive, however, and threatens to expose their relationship. Meeting to discuss terms of blackmail, Vera accidentally kills her former lover during a scuffle. Arnold's butler is blamed for the murder, with Vera's involvement completely unsuspected by the police. But she discovers that the guilt for letting him take the blame may be greater than any punishment the law could devise.

Her Private Affair is the second film for star Ann Harding, following her debut in Paris Bound (1929) with Frederic March. A respected Broadway actress, she was plucked from the stage by a Pathe casting agent, who saw her excellent diction as an asset in the new medium of talking pictures. The success of Her Private Affair made her name in Hollywood, and she would go on to roles in such popular films as 1930's Holiday (for which she was nominated for an Academy Award) and 1931's remake of East Lynne. At the time, she was married to co-star Harry Bannister. Frank Reicher plays an attorney in the film's courtroom scenes. He is best remembered for portraying Captain Englehorn in the classic King Kong (1933).

• drama