Green Dolphin Street (1947)

Sophie loved Edmund, but he left town when her parents forced her to marry wealthy Octavius. Years later, Edmund returns with his son, William. Sophie's daughter, Marguerite, and William ... See full summary »

Director:

Victor Saville

Writers:

Samson Raphaelson (screenplay), Elizabeth Goudge (novel)

Stars:

Lana Turner, Van Heflin, Donna Reed

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lana Turner	...	Marianne Patourel
Van Heflin	...	Timothy Haslam
Donna Reed	...	Marguerite Patourel
Richard Hart	...	William Ozanne
Frank Morgan	...	Dr. Edmond Ozanne
Edmund Gwenn	...	Octavius Patourel
Dame May Whitty	...	Mother Superior
Reginald Owen	...	Captain O'Hara
Gladys Cooper	...	Sophie Patourel
Moyna MacGill	...	Mrs. Metivier
Linda Christian	...	Hine-Moa
Bernie Gozier	...	Jacky-Poto
Patrick Aherne	...	Kapua-Manga
Al Kikume	...	A Maori
Edith Leslie	...	Sister Angelique

Storyline

Sophie loved Edmund, but he left town when her parents forced her to marry wealthy Octavius. Years later, Edmund returns with his son, William. Sophie's daughter, Marguerite, and William fall in love. Marguerite's sister, Marianne, also loves William. Timothy, a lowly carpenter, secretly loves Marianne. He kills a man in a fight, and Edmund helps him flee to New Zealand. William deserts inadvertently from the navy, and also flees in disgrace to New Zealand, where he and Timothy start a profitable business. One night, drunk, William writes Octavius, demanding his daughter's hand; but, being drunk, he asks for the wrong sister.

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Plot Keywords:

love | new zealand | navy | prayer | drugged | 

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Taglines:

A Fiery Girl Who Dares The Dangers Of The Sea And A Savage Land... Fighting For The Love Of A Bold Adventurer!

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Genres:

Adventure | Romance | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Rua do Delfim Verde

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

$500,000 was spent on the earthquake scene alone.

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Quotes

Marianne Patourel: [Discussing William's love for Marguerite] But when you wrote to my father you lied. You asked for my hand in marriage.
William Ozanne: I didn't lie. Listen to me, Marianne. I love you.
Marianne Patourel: Listen to more lies! You never loved me! You loved *her*. But you sent for me. Why?
William Ozanne: It wasn't a lie. It was o -
Marianne Patourel: Why did you send for me?
William Ozanne: I'll tell you, Marianne. Now I must tell you. I never wanted you to know. I never thought you would ever find out. But now...
Marianne Patourel: What did you never want me to find out?
William Ozanne: That I accidentally wrote ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Forecast (1945)

User Reviews

Is There Really a Plan at Work in our Lives?

Is there really a Plan at work in the strange twists and turns of our lives? Green Dolphin Street makes the case that there is--that things happen for good reasons, which can't be understood during the heartbreak of the moment. We see a meaningful design woven in the lives of three people as the movie reaches its strongly crafted and truly moving conclusion. This is a story with a long-range view, taking us through the intertwined lives of two sisters and the man they love. It even reaches back to reveal secrets from the past, from their parents. And it moves forward with exciting scenes of the dangers of pioneer life in New Zealand in contrast to the peaceful world of the Chanel Islands where it all begins.

Intriguingly, another man, a fugitive from British justice, plays a key role in ensuring the happiness and safety of one sister, Marianne. In this role, Van Heflin has one of the best parts of his career and makes the most of it. Even here, the theme of a Plan at work is expressed when he suggests to her that they must be old souls who have known one another a very long time. For me, he greatly overshadowed her husband--in fact, would have made a much more suitable husband for her--and perhaps that was intended as another example of the ironies of life.

The role of Marianne, played by Lana Turner, is pivotal to the story. While she gives this part her very best, another actress with a stronger face and more range could have done better. Somehow, Lana still looked and sounded like a Hollywood glamour girl. Yet, at times, I was moved to tears during her scenes. Donna Reed in the role of her sister Marguerite seemed more comfortable with her assignment and developed a strength and radiant beauty in the course of the film. No one who has seen this movie could forget her scene as she climbs the cliff. Other memorable moments take place in New Zealand with the earthquake and tidal wave or the attack of the Maoris. But the best is saved for the last. The ending of Green Dolphin Street conveys a transcendence that lifts it far above the ordinary Hollywood costume period movie.