The Donovan Affair

The Donovan Affair is a 1929 American Pre-Code comedic murder-mystery film directed by Frank Capra. It was produced by Harry Cohn for Columbia Pictures and is based upon the play of the same name by Owen Davis. Its original soundtrack, recorded on soundtrack discs, has been lost, although it has been recreated for live performances. Plot After the lights go out at a fancy party, Jack Donovan (John Roche) turns up dead. Inspector Killian (Jack Holt) is called to the scene. As part of the investigation, he calls for a re-enactment of the events leading up to the murder. The lights go out, and another person turns up dead. Inspector Killian again calls for a re-enactment. Cast Jack Holt as Inspector Killian Dorothy Revier as Jean Rankin William Collier Jr. as Cornish Agnes Ayres as Lydia Rankin John Roche as Jack Donovan Fred Kelsey as Carney Hank Mann as Dr. Lindsey Wheeler Oakman as Porter Virginia Brown Faire as Mary Mills Alphonse Ethier as Captain Peter Rankin Edward Hearn as Nelson Ethel Wales as Mrs. Lindsey John Wallace as Dobbs Allan Cavan as Gambler (uncredited) Sherry Hall as Gambler (uncredited) See also List of early sound feature films (1926–1929)