Now, Voyager (1942)

Boston spinster blossoms under therapy and finds impossible romance.

Director:

Irving Rapper

Writers:

Casey Robinson (screenplay), Olive Higgins Prouty (from the novel by)

Stars:

Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bette Davis	...	Charlotte Vale
Paul Henreid	...	Jerry Durrance
Claude Rains	...	Dr. Jaquith
Gladys Cooper	...	Mrs. Henry Vale
Bonita Granville	...	June Vale
John Loder	...	Elliot Livingston
Ilka Chase	...	Lisa Vale
Lee Patrick	...	'Deb' McIntyre
Franklin Pangborn	...	Mr. Thompson
Katharine Alexander	...	Miss Trask (as Katherine Alexander)
James Rennie	...	Frank McIntyre
Mary Wickes	...	Dora Pickford

Storyline

In Boston, the over-weight spinster Charlotte Vale is a repressed woman without self-esteem and completely dominated by her wealthy mother Mrs. Henry Vale. When her sister-in-law Lisa Vale brings the renowned psychiatrist Dr. Jaquith, who is her friend, to visit Charlotte, he invites her to spend some time in his sanatorium. Soon Charlotte transforms in a sophisticated and confident woman and travels in a cruise to South America. She meets architect Jerry Durrance, who is married, and they have a love affair in Rio de Janeiro. Six months later, she returns home and confronts his mother with her independence and own free will. One day, Charlotte has an argument with her mother and she dies of a heart attack. Charlotte becomes the heir of the Vale's fortune but she feels guilty for the death of her mother. She decides to return to Dr. Jaquith's sanatorium whether she befriends Tina, who is the twelve-year-old daughter of Jerry rejected by her mother. She brings the girl to her house in ...

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Plot Keywords:

love | spinster | cruise | nervous breakdown | heart attack | 

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Taglines:

I'm the maiden aunt. Every family has one you know.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

31 October 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Estranha Passageira

Filming Locations:

6621 Whitley Terrace, Whitley Heights, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bette Davis complained about Max Steiner's Academy Award-winning musical score, saying that it was too intrusive on her performance.

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Goofs

When Charlotte first enters the room to meet Jaquith, her position changes; she is first at the steps near the doorway, but in next cut she is close to her mother's chair.

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Quotes

Charlotte: A spinster aunt is an ideal person to select presents for young girls.

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Connections

Featured in Time Shift: The Smoking Years (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Yankee Doodle"
(ca. 1755) (uncredited)
Traditional music of English origin
Variation in the score when the Statue of Liberty is onscreen

User Reviews

Greatest Love Story of the 1940's

From frumpy momma's unwanted adult child to liberated raving beauty, Davis is in her element in every scene. With Paul Henreid & Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper & a spot-on supporting cast, "Voyager..." is, hands down, best love story I believe I've ever seen.

Of course, taste in romances has everything to do with what a viewer finds great. I don't like phony, fantasy, goofy romantic shows at all. "Voyager..." has a gritty plot that reveals the kind of love between unrequited lovers that's worth sacrificing oneself for.

Davis' wardrobe is as fabulous in this movie as it is in "Deception," (also co-starring Claude Rains & Paul Henreid). Perhaps having both of them in both shows is what produced the mastery of all the elements in both movies. Though "Deception" is also a love story, Claude Rains coming seriously close to stealing the show from Davis.

In "Voyager..." the characters are much more egalitarian. The balance of love & despise is what makes the movies so intriguing. Davis should have taken an Oscar home for her leading role.