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The Heiress (1949)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
6 October 1949 (USA)
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Tagline:
When a Woman Loves a Man . . . She Doesn't Want to Know the Truth About Him ! more
Plot:
A young naive woman falls for a handsome young man who her emotionally abusive father suspects is a fortune hunter. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Money
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Fortune Hunter
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Inheritance
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Marriage
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1840s
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Awards:
Won 4 Oscars.
Another 4 wins
&
7 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
de Havillink
(From FilmExperience. 8 August 2009, 9:21 PM, PDT)
Oscar and The Jesus Year
(From FilmExperience. 25 February 2009, 9:00 AM, PST)
(From FilmExperience. 8 August 2009, 9:21 PM, PDT)
Oscar and The Jesus Year
(From FilmExperience. 25 February 2009, 9:00 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Turning of the tide in acting and directing masterclass.
more (84 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast) | Olivia de Havilland | ... | Catherine Sloper |
 | Montgomery Clift | ... | Morris Townsend |
 | Ralph Richardson | ... | Dr. Austin Sloper |
| Miriam Hopkins | ... | Lavinia Penniman |
| Vanessa Brown | ... | Maria |
| Betty Linley | ... | Mrs. Montgomery |
| Ray Collins | ... | Jefferson Almond |
| Mona Freeman | ... | Marian Almond |
| Selena Royle | ... | Elizabeth Almond |
| Paul Lees | ... | Arthur Townsend |
| Harry Antrim | ... | Mr. Abeel |
| Russ Conway | ... | Quintus |
| David Thursby | ... | Geier |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
In his autobiography, Basil Rathbone lamented that he did not get the part of Dr Sloper in the film, following his performance in the play in New York, opposite Wendy Hiller. Had he been cast, and had Errol Flynn won the part of Morris Townsend as originally planned, this would have been a re-teaming of all three main stars from the film classics, "Captain Blood" (1935) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Morris first asks Kathryn to dance at the party, she is seated with her dance card in her hand. Her fan is hanging from a string around her wrist on the same arm. Cut to a wider shot as Kathryn stands to join Morris, and suddenly her fan is in her hand, and her dance card is hanging from her wrist.
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Quotes:
Aunt Penniman:
Now, Catherine, if you will stay by me this evening, you will see that what I say is not always of the greatest importance, but dear, that doesn't keep me from talking.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Three's Company: The Heiress (#8.19)" (1984)
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Soundtrack:
Plaisir d'amour (The Joys of Love)
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FAQ
Where can I hear an audio adaptation of the play this movie was based on?more
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Dowdy spinster Catherine Sloper is stuck in a rut, she is often made to feel useless by her almost tyrannical father, and her life is ambling along in uneventful boredom. Potential gentleman suitors steer well clear of her, such is her unease with the social graces of the day. Then one day at a society ball she is lavished with attention from Morris Townsend, could this be love?, or is he merely after her inheritance?, an inheritance her father will take away from her should she progress further with the shifty Townsend.
A novel written by Henry James {Washington Square}, and a successful Broadway play by Ruth & Augustus Goetz {responsible for the films wonderful ending}, The Heiress adapts perfectly to the big screen due to the almost peerless work from all involved in the adaptation. Olivia de Havilland is sensational as Catherine, the tale is about Catharine's transition from put upon victim into a mature, rational wise woman, and de Haviland double deals from the top of the pack, and with one particular look towards the end, she may just own the title of worlds best icy stare. Ralph Richardson plays the father brilliantly, fusing a trio of character traits with wonderful results, and William Wyler's direction is right on the money, it's no surprise to learn that de Havilland requested Wyler for the project, for she must surely of known that he was the man to bring out such a majestic two fold performance.
Montgomery Clift gives a rather more safe, than a great performance as Townsend, perhaps at times too aware that de Havilland and Richardson were shining bright on set, Clift none the less is one of those actors who's average shows were still better than some of his so called peers best. Major bonus here is the score from Aaron Copland, jaunty in earlier sections then swirling like a poetic menace in the final third, simply beautiful. Tales of bad feeling on the set can be found in various sources, with both Richardson & Clift showing disdain for de Havilland's acting ability, but one only has to view the film now to see that the off screen tensions lifted de Havilland to acting greatness, well that and the gifted hands of one William Wyler.
A smashing, dramatic, and engrossing picture, The Heiress is a must see for those looking for artistic deftness, and the end?, well it's a fittingly memorable piece of class. 9/10