The Venetian Affair (film)  The Venetian Affair is a 1967 spy film directed by Jerry Thorpe and starring Robert Vaughn and Elke Sommer. It is based on a novel of the same name by Helen MacInnes. A former CIA agent, Bill Fenner, now a downbeat, loner journalist, is sent to Venice to investigate the shock suicide bombing by an American diplomat at a peace conference. CIA chief Frank Rosenfeld specifically requests Fenner come out of retirement because one of the suspects in the case is Fenner's ex-wife, Sandra Fane, who is believed to be a Communist sympathizer. A secret report by Dr. Vaugiroud could be the key, but Fenner's and Fane's lives are greatly endangered, particularly at the hands of a mysterious man named Wahl, while trying to unravel the plot. "The Venetian Affair" was shot on location in Venice, Italy. "The Venetian Affair" was released in theatres on January 18, 1967. The film was released on DVD by Warner Archive Collection on October 18, 2011. Bosley Crowther of "The New York Times" wrote in his review: "It's a totally inane and posy picture about an American newspaper photographer who gets involved in an international intrigue in Venice which has something to do with obtaining a secret report. Some nice color photography in Venice is the only plus feature of this film, which is based on a novel by Helen MacInnes."