Jane Eyre (1934)

A meek governess and her mysterious employer strike up a romantic relationship.

Director:

Christy Cabanne

Writers:

Charlotte Brontë (novel), Adele Comandini (screenplay)

Stars:

Virginia Bruce, Colin Clive, Beryl Mercer

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Virginia Bruce	...	Jane Eyre
Colin Clive	...	Edward Rochester
Beryl Mercer	...	Mrs. Fairfax
David Torrence	...	Mr. Brocklehurst
Aileen Pringle	...	Lady Blanche Ingram
Edith Fellows	...	Adele Rochester
John Rogers	...	Sam Poole
Jean Darling	...	Jane Eyre - as a Child
Lionel Belmore	...	Lord Ingram
Jameson Thomas	...	Charles Craig
Ethel Griffies	...	Grace Poole
Claire Du Brey	...	Bertha Rochester
William Burgess	...	Minister (as William Burress)
Joan Standing	...	Daisy
Richard Quine	...	John Reed

Storyline

Jane Eyre is an orphan who was raised by her aunt until she came to Thornfield Hall as governess to the young ward of Edward Rochester. But Jane is attracted by the intelligent and energetic Sir Rochester, a man of almost twice her age. But just when Sir Rochester seems to pay attention to her, he invites the beautiful and wealthy Blanche Ingram to stay at his house.

---

Plot Keywords:

governess | orphan | female protagonist | bully | husband wife relationship | 

---

Taglines:

A soul-revelation of a girl born to love. . a symphony of emotions that has thrilled the world for a century! (Print Ad- San Jose News, ((San Jose, Calif.)) 31 July 1934)

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ethel Griffies also played Grace Poole in the 1943 version (Jane Eyre (1943)), starring Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine.

---

Connections

Version of Jane Eyre (2006)

---

Soundtracks

My Bonnie
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by Edith Fellows

User Reviews

Glamorous But done on the cheap

According to the Internet Movie Database there are 22 versions of the famous Charlotte Bronte novel Jane Eyre done, counting both silent screen and small screen adaptions all the way to the present time. I never realized how popular a property Jane Eyre was for dramatization. I doubt very much if anyone would ever consider this 1934 version starring Virginia Bruce and Colin Clive as the best of them.

Still in reviewing this movie you have to take into account that this was done for Monogram Pictures on a shoestring budget. Bruce and Clive were borrowed from MGM and Universal respectively and neither was exactly a box office name. The running time is only 63 minutes so like every other work of literature there will always be stuff left out unless it's a TV mini-series and you have several hours to play with.

One criticism I will agree with. Jane Eyre in fact is a plain Jane and the glamorous blond Virginia Bruce just isn't right for the part. Joan Fontaine was far closer to Charlotte Bronte's idea of Jane Eyre in her version with Orson Welles on a much bigger budget with MGM.

It's definitely a subpar version of the novel, but be a bit more charitable to this Jane Eyre considering the circumstances of its creation.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jane Eyre l'angelo dell'amore

Filming Locations:

General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Monogram Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1