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The Sisters (1938) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   572 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Anatole Litvak
Writers:
Milton Krims (screenplay)
Myron Brinig (novel)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Sisters on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 October 1938 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
Three sisters attend a celebration of the inauguration of Teddy Roosevelt. Each will marry a man in attendance... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
NewsDesk:
Jane Bryan
 (From Alternative Film Guide. 11 April 2009, 7:12 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Highly forgettable as drama...a nice change for Flynn and Davis... more (20 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Errol Flynn ... Frank Medlin

Bette Davis ... Louise Elliott Medlin
Anita Louise ... Helen Elliott Johnson
Ian Hunter ... William Benson
Donald Crisp ... Tim Hazelton
Beulah Bondi ... Rose Elliott
Jane Bryan ... Grace Elliott Knivel
Alan Hale ... Sam Johnson
Dick Foran ... Tom Knivel
Henry Travers ... Ned Elliott
Patric Knowles ... Norman French
Lee Patrick ... Flora Gibbon
Laura Hope Crews ... Flora's Mother
Janet Shaw ... Stella Johnson
Harry Davenport ... Doc Moore
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
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Runtime:
99 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #4407)
Filming Locations:
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
Company:
Warner Bros. Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Stock footage from Old San Francisco (1927) was used. more
Quotes:
Ned Elliott: Unhappiness ain't so bad. It makes happiness all the keener. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in All About Bette (1994) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Love Me, and the World Is Mine more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
6 out of 8 people found the following comment useful.
Highly forgettable as drama...a nice change for Flynn and Davis..., 27 April 2005
5/10
Author: Neil Doyle from U.S.A.

Despite the authentic period detail and a very well-staged, realistic earthquake scene that takes place late in this story of early San Francisco (but fails to wake up the sluggish plot), the tale itself is a weak one that gives neither BETTE DAVIS nor ERROL FLYNN very much chance to emote as their fans would like them to. Davis plays a loyal wife while Flynn is the family man who can't settle down. Both are professionally competent here, but seem to be fully aware of the script limitations imposed on their bland characters.

Nevertheless, it's nice to see a more restrained Davis playing a nice, normal woman for a change--but one would expect a few more sparks from their relationship than we get here. Their separation, after he goes off on a binge that takes him away for a four year period while he tries to find himself--and their ultimate reunion--is about all the plot has to offer in the quest for tracing the family history of three daughters who each experience their share of problems in choosing hasty marriages. Beulah Bondi and Henry Travers are their worried parents.

Bette and Errol have both given better performances in more detailed roles--and were fine a year later in their flashier costume roles as Elizabeth and Essex. This seems to be merely an attempt to work up some box-office interest in two of the studio's top stars while at the same time taking Flynn away from his swashbuckling roles. Then too, this might have been Jack Warner's promotional idea of working up audience interest in the two stars before presenting them in the lavish ELIZ. AND ESSEX the following year.

Unfortunately, all of the supporting roles are on the bland side except for Alan Hale, Sr. as a wealthy Irishman who marries Anita Louise, a lovely young thing who wants the security his wealth can provide. A plain looking Jane Bryan is totally wasted as the youngest sister who marries Dick Foran, both terminally bland in their respective roles. Donald Crisp is convincing as Flynn's loyal friend.

But whatever real interest the film has, it owes to the performances of Bette Davis and Errol Flynn who are able to give even this kind of weak material some substance and strength. Ian Hunter as Davis' understanding boss handles his meager assignment with customary charm and skill.

Negative note: Director Anatole Litvak should have toned down Lee Patrick's performance as an inquisitive chatterbox neighbor. Nice to see Laura Hope Crews (Aunt Pittypat from GWTW) as her fluttery mother.

Summing up: Whatever energy was put into this production, the end results are meager, even for Davis and Flynn fans.

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