The Private Affairs of Bel Ami

The Private Affairs of Bel Ami is a 1947 American drama film directed by Albert Lewin. The film stars George Sanders as a ruthless cad who uses women to rise in Parisian society, co-starring Angela Lansbury and Ann Dvorak. It is based on the 1885 Guy de Maupassant novel Bel Ami. The film had a 1946 premiere in Paris, Texas. The score is by Darius Milhaud. Plot In Paris in 1880, Georges Duroy, an ex-soldier working as a poorly paid clerk, encounters his former comrade-in-arms, sickly journalist Charles Forestier. Rachel, already rebuffed once by Georges, sits down at their cafe table. After Georges rudely dismisses her, Charles tells him the quickest way to better himself in Paris is by using his charms on women. Charles then suggests he seek a vacancy at his newspaper, La Vie Française, despite having no writing experience. Georges then takes Charles' advice and goes to Rachel who is a dancer. He meets pretty young widow Clotilde de Marelle at a dinner party hosted by Charles and his wife. She has an interest in going dancing but says no male acquaintance will take her. Charles' publisher is also a guest; he asks Georges for a sample article by the next day. Georges also meets 15-year-old daughter Suzanne Walter, who feels restricted by her parents. Georges has difficulty creating his writing sample, so he asks Charles for assistance. Charles sends him to see his wife Madeleine; she helps him land the job. She also suggests he call on Clotilde. He takes Clotilde dancing at a raucous nightspot. The singer there sings "Bel Ami", which is about a scoundrel. Clotilde calls Georges Bel Ami; he promises to live up (or down) to that name. While they are out one night, Rachel spots them and Georges snubs her. She makes a scene. Afterward, Clotilde writes Georges a letter in which she confesses she loves him so much that there is nothing she cannot forgive him.