Dragonwyck (1946)

A simple Connecticuit farm girl is recruited by a distant relative, an aristocratic patroon, to be governess to his young daughter in his Hudson Valley mansion.

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers:

Anya Seton (novel), Joseph L. Mankiewicz (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Gene Tierney, Walter Huston, Vincent Price

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Tierney	...	Miranda Wells
Walter Huston	...	Ephraim Wells
Vincent Price	...	Nicholas Van Ryn
Glenn Langan	...	Dr. Jeff Turner
Anne Revere	...	Abigail Wells
Spring Byington	...	Magda
Connie Marshall	...	Katrine Van Ryn
Harry Morgan	...	Klaas Bleecker (as Henry Morgan)
Vivienne Osborne	...	Johanna Van Ryn
Jessica Tandy	...	Peggy O'Malley
Trudy Marshall	...	Elizabeth Van Borden

Storyline

In 1844, farmer's daughter Miranda Wells is invited by Nicholas Van Ryn, distant relation, to live in his mansion as companion to his daughter. Arriving in high hopes, Miranda finds the Van Ryns a bit strange. The parents barely know daughter Katrine; Nicholas faces a revolt of his tenant farmers; the servants hint darkly of curses and visitations. And what does Nicholas really do up in his tower room?

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Plot Keywords:

farmer | farm | mansion | servant | companion | 

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Taglines:

Secret thoughts... That led to secret love... That led to rapture and terror!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

10 April 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le château du dragon

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,900,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the first cut, Miranda meets Dr. Turner on the riverboat going to Dragonwyck. Although it was cut by order of producer Zanuck, actor Glenn Langan can still be seen from behind walking toward Miranda. A brief opening scene showing Miranda reading a novel in a graveyard was also cut.

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Goofs

As Miranda and Van Ryn dance through the doorway from the balcony into the ballroom, she holds her closed fan in her hand. When the shot changes after they enter the room, the fan dangles from her wrist.

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Quotes

Magda: [to Miranda] You mustn't take me seriously, Miss. No one ever does.

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Connections

Featured in Le château du dragon: fantasme de l'excès (2004)

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Soundtracks

"I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls"
(uncredited)
from "The Bohemian Girl"
Written by Michael William Balfe
Performed by Gene Tierney and Vincent Price

User Reviews

Excellent early Price in a brilliantly Gothic mood piece

With shades of Hitchcock's Rebecca, Dragonwyck is a lushly Gothic melodrama; abound with themes of social class; centring on the struggle between the rich and the poor in nineteenth century America. The most striking thing about Dragonwyck is the beauty of the piece. The sets are brilliantly Gothic, while director Joseph L. Mankiewicz keeps the atmosphere thick and foreboding, which in turn ensures that the film succeeds in capturing the best of it's locations. The film reunites the two strongest cast members from Otto Preminger's masterpiece 'Laura' - Gene Tierney and the master of the macabre, Vincent Price. These two are both great thespians, but it is Vincent Price that shines the most. Many people pass this great man off as merely a camp horror movie actor, but with his performance here; along with the vast majority of his later ones - Price proves that he is far more than that. His voice and mannerisms make up a lot of his performances, but it's the subtleties that he hints at beyond his immediate performance that really make him great. Just like he did with The Fall of the House of Usher; Price plays one thing, while all the time hinting at a darker side to his character.

The plot follows a young farm girl (Tierney) who goes to stay with her mother's cousin, Nicholas Van Ryan (Price), in his castle upon his request. It isn't long after her arrival that she hears strange things from the servants, and it's not long after that she realises all isn't quite right with Dragonwyck. The plot is rather thinly spread, but the film always manages to stay interesting because of the fact that it doesn't let you know anything until you really need to know. Things are hinted at throughout the film, but the audience never really knows anything for sure. Even by the time the film reaches it's climax, there are several things that have been left open. Vincent Price's performance here stands out from the rest of his oeuvre because he manages to be charming at the same time as being dark and brooding. After having seen the likes of The Abominable Dr Phibes, it's hard to imagine the man being charming; but here it's hard to imagine why Gene Tierney wouldn't fall for him. Dragonwyck has a few problems, but on the whole this is a quality forties melodrama and comes with high recommendations, especially to the Vincent Price fan.