The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry

The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry (also known simply as Uncle Harry) was made as a follow-up of the successful collaboration between Robert Siodmak and producer Joan Harrison on The Phantom Lady (1944, NFF 2019). The adaptation of Thomas Job’s play, which enjoyed a successful run on Broadway (430 performances), faced censorship issues that were partially resolved by adding a narrative framework similar to that of Lang’s The Woman in the Window. Despite close scrutiny by the Production Code Administration, the film boldly addresses issues of sexual repression and incest. The lead role of an old bachelor living at home with his two sisters was played by George Sanders. Ella Raines, for whom this was the third out of four films with director Siodmak, appeared in the role of his young colleague, with whom he forms a romantic bond. Unfortunately, the film was not commercially successful and led to Joan Harrison’s departure from Universal. (mh)