Quality Street (1937)

In the 1810s, an old maid poses as her own niece in order to teach her onetime beau a lesson.

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

J.M. Barrie (by), Allan Scott (screen play),

Stars:

Katharine Hepburn, Franchot Tone, Eric Blore

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Katharine Hepburn	...	Phoebe Throssel
Franchot Tone	...	Dr. Valentine Brown
Eric Blore	...	Recruiting Sergeant
Fay Bainter	...	Susan Throssel
Cora Witherspoon	...	Patty
Estelle Winwood	...	Mary Willoughby

Storyline

Phoebe and Susan Throssel are sisters living in Quality Street. Phoebe is courted by Dr. Valentine Brown and her sister and noisy neighbors expect a proposal shortly. When he instead enlists in the British army during the Napoleonic Wars claiming he has no 'sweetheart', the two sisters are crushed. Ten years later, Valentine returns to find the sisters are teachers of their own school, 'Misses Throssel School for Boys and Girls', and are now both, "old maids". Valentine asks Phoebe to the homecoming ball, but he is very "put out" at realizing how worn-out Phoebe looks. On a whim Phoebe puts on a ball gown and does her hair as if to prove that she is not that much different from 10 years earlier. When Valentine comes to try to persuade her to go to the ball, he doesn't recognize her. She decides to play on his confusion, telling him Phoebe doesn't feel well, and introduces herself as "Livvy", Phoebe and Susan's niece. Dr. brown and Livvy go to the ball together. At the ball, Phoebe ...

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Plot Keywords:

old maid | spinster | school | maid | niece | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Rua da Vaidade

Filming Locations:

Malibu Lake, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway play starred legendary actress Maude Adams. It opened at the Knickerbocker Theatre in New York on November 11, 1901 and ran for 64 performances.

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Connections

Featured in George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (1984)

User Reviews

delightful comedy of errors

Delightful comedy of errors. Pheobe (Hepburn) is in love with the dashing Dr. Brown, but alas her love is unrequited. They meet again 10 years later on his return from the Napoleonic Wars. She has wilted under the strain of teaching little children and is self-conscious about her age. On a whim she decides to dress in her former radiant style, and ends up being mistaken by Dr. Brown for Pheobe's niece. They start to court, and from there it's all silly and predictable, but... sparkling dialogue, great acting and wonderful supporting parts (especially the nosy old spinsters at the windows)