Ladies in Retirement (1941)

The housekeeper to a retired actress tries at the same time to look after her own two emotionally disturbed sisters, with dramatic results.

Director:

Charles Vidor

Writers:

Garrett Fort (screenplay), Reginald Denham (screenplay),

Stars:

Ida Lupino, Louis Hayward, Evelyn Keyes

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ida Lupino	...	Ellen Creed
Louis Hayward	...	Albert Feather
Evelyn Keyes	...	Lucy
Elsa Lanchester	...	Emily Creed
Edith Barrett	...	Louisa Creed
Isobel Elsom	...	Leonora Fiske
Emma Dunn	...	Sister Theresa
Queenie Leonard	...	Sister Agatha
Clyde Cook	...	Bates

Storyline

In the late nineteenth century, Ellen Creed works as the live-in companion to Miss Leonora Fiske, a retired actress who lives in the English countryside and who still retains her theatrical mannerisms. Ellen receives notice that the landlady of her two sisters, Emily Creed and Louisa Creed, who currently live in London, is threatening to call the police to haul them away to an asylum because of their disruptive behavior due to their mentally deranged state. Ellen will not allow her sisters to be institutionalized, and convinces Miss Fiske to allow them to stay with them for a couple of days. Miss Fiske was unaware of their deranged mental state when she agreed and is also unaware that Ellen hopes to make their stay permanent. Both issues eventually become apparent to Miss Fiske, who cannot tolerate how Emily and Louisa disrupt her home life. However, Ellen "convinces" Miss Fiske to take an extended leave from the house, while Ellen tells her sisters that she bought the house from Miss...

---

Plot Keywords:

actress | housekeeper | female protagonist | based on play

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 September 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

El misterio de Fiske Manor

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on September 27, 1943 with Ida Lupino reprising her film role.

---

Goofs

Microphone shadow visible over fireplace when Mrs. Fiske has showdown with sisters about hauling junk into her home.

---

Quotes

Albert Feather: How about makin' the most of a male fish now one has been washed up, ay? What about a smacker?
Lucy: No, you mustn't! I don't know you!
Albert Feather: You don't have to know people to kiss them.
Lucy: I do!

---

Crazy Credits

The title of the film and the names of Ida Lupino and Louis Hayward appear as if they were rising to the surface of the swamp and floating there; the rest of the credits appear on tombstones and signs surrounding the area.

---

Connections

Remade as The Mad Room (1969)

User Reviews

Fantastic Classic Film

If you liked seeing Ida Lupino in all her films, this is a must see film with an outstanding director, producer and great acting. Ida Lupino, (Ellen Creed) plays the role of a companion for a rich retired actress who also has a maid named Lucy performed by Evelyn Keyes. The story becomes very complicated when Ellen Creed invites her two sisters to visit with her. However, these two gals are simply loony tunes in their heads and will drive you completely crazy with their great supporting roles. Louis Hayward, (Albert Feather) is a family acquaintance to Ellen Creed and he decides to stay at their home and get away from his banking problems. Elsa Lanchester,(Emily Creed), "Bride of Frankenstein", also gives a great supporting role. This is a great mystery film with a great plot that will keep you guessing just how this film will end. I was also surprised to learn that Ida Lupino and Louis Hayward were husband and wife in real life while this film was being produced.