Green Dolphin Street (1947)

Director:

Victor Saville

Writers:

Elizabeth Goudge (novel) and
Samson Raphaelson (writer)

Release Date:

5 November 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Sophie loved Edmund, but he left town when her parents forced her to marry wealthy Octavius. Years later...

Plot Keywords:

Love | New Zealand | Navy | Mother Daughter Relationship | Pier

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

140 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | West Germany:12 | Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (certificate #12224)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Gregory Peck and Laraine Day were slated to appear in the starring roles.

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 your name instead of Marguerite's in the letter to your father.
Marianne Patourel: [She looks crushed] You accidentally wrote my name? Our whole marriage has been a... slip of the pen?
William Ozanne: Marianne...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in Lana Turner... a Daughter's Memoir (2001) (TV)

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.