Searching for a Scandal (1973)

Interesting facts

Searching for a Scandal is a 1973 Egyptian comedy film directed by Niazi Mostafa. The screenplay was written by Farouk Sabri from a story by Abul-Seoud El-Ebiary, which was loosely based on the 1967 American comedy film A Guide for the Married Man. The film stars Adel Emam, Mervat Amin and Samir Sabri, with Youssef Wahby, Ahmed Ramzy, Emad Hamdy, Mohamed Awad, Zizi El-Badrawi, Tawfik El Deqn, George Sidhom, Mimi Shakib and Nabila El-Sayed in supporting roles.

Production

The film is widely reported to have been inspired by the 1967 American comedy A Guide for the Married Man, in which a married man receives advice from a friend on conducting an affair without being discovered. Film historian and novelist Mostafa Nasr has said that screenwriter Abul-Seoud El-Ebiary considered the film's treatment of infidelity unsuitable for Egyptian audiences at the time.

Searching for a Scandal is often described as the film that established Adel Emam as a leading actor. He had appeared in several earlier films, mostly in supporting roles, before producer Gamal El-Leithy cast him in the lead alongside Mervat Amin and Samir Sabri, both of whom were already established performers. The film also featured a number of prominent actors, including Youssef Wahby, Ahmed Ramzy, Emad Hamdy and Zizi El-Badrawi.

A number of casting changes were made before filming began. Farid Shawqi was reportedly considered for the role later played by Salah Nazmi, while Madiha Kamel was considered for the part eventually given to Nawal Abu El-Fotouh. Nour El-Sherif was also linked to the role later played by Mohamed Awad, and Safaa Abu El-Saud was considered for the role eventually played by Zizi El-Badrawi.

Contemporary press reports based on production records gave the cast's fees as follows: Youssef Wahby received 1,100 Egyptian pounds, Mervat Amin 800, Adel Emam 750, Mohamed Reda 450, Ahmed Ramzy 400, and Samir Sabri 350. Tawfik El Deqn, Mimi Shakib and Nabila El-Sayed were paid 250 pounds each, while George Sidhom and Emad Hamdy received 200 pounds each. Zouzou Madi was paid 150 pounds.

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