The Donovan Affair is a 1929 comedic murder-mystery film directed by Frank Capra

Frank Capra

Frank Russell Capra was a Sicilian-born American film director. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was six, and eventually became a creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s...

. It was produced by Harry Cohn

Harry Cohn

Harry Cohn was the American president and production director of Columbia Pictures.-Career:Cohn was born to a working-class German-Jewish family in New York City. In later years, he appears to have disparaged his heritage...

 for Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...

.

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
  Jack Holt (actor)
  Jack Holt was an American motion picture actor. He was a leading man of silent and sound films, and was known for his many roles in Westerns.-Early life:...
  
   as Inspector Killian
• Dorothy Revier
  Dorothy Revier
  Dorothy Revier was an American actress.She was educated in the public schools of Oakland before going to New York City to study classical dancing...
  
   as Jean Rankin
• William Collier Jr. as Cornish
• Agnes Ayres
  Agnes Ayres
  Agnes Ayres was an American actress who rose to fame during the silent film era. She was best known for her role as Lady Diana Mayo in The Sheik and The Son of the Sheik opposite Rudolph Valentino.-Early life and career:...
  
   as Lydia Rankin
• John Roche as Jack Donovan
• Fred Kelsey
  Fred Kelsey
  Frederick Alvin "Fred" Kelsey was an American actor, film director, and screenwriter. He appeared in 404 films between 1911 and 1958, often playing policemen or detectives . He also directed 37 films between 1914 and 1920...
  
   as Carney
• Hank Mann
  Hank Mann
  Hank Mann was a comedian and silent screen star who is best known as the last surviving member of the Keystone Cops. According to fellow actor and original member of the ensemble Edgar Kennedy, Mann was the originator of the idea for the Keysotne Cops...
  
   as Dr. Lindsey
• Wheeler Oakman
  Wheeler Oakman
  Wheeler Oakman was an American film actor.Usually appearing as a henchman in films, rarely a leading role, he appeared in over 280 films between 1912 and 1948....
  
   as Porter
• Virginia Brown Faire as Mary Mills
• Alphonse Ethier as Captain Peter Rankin
• Edward Hearn
  Edward Hearn
  Edward Hearn was an American actor. He appeared in 361 films between 1915 and 1955.He was born in Dayton, Washington and died in Los Angeles County, California.-Selected filmography:* Daredevil Jack...
  
   as Nelson
• Ethel Wales
  Ethel Wales
  Ethel Wales was a Passaic, New Jersey-born American actress, who appeared in 130 films between the years 1920 and 1950. She had one son named Wellington Charles Wales.- Selected filmography :* Miss Lulu Bett * Manslaughter...
  
   as Mrs. Lindsey
• John Wallace as Dobbs