IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
In the 1810s, an old maid poses as her own niece in order to teach her onetime beau a lesson.In the 1810s, an old maid poses as her own niece in order to teach her onetime beau a lesson.In the 1810s, an old maid poses as her own niece in order to teach her onetime beau a lesson.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- J.M. Barrie(by)
- Allan Scott(screen play)
- Mortimer Offner(screen play)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- J.M. Barrie(by)
- Allan Scott(screen play)
- Mortimer Offner(screen play)
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total
Sherwood Bailey
- William Smithas William Smith
- (uncredited)
William Bakewell
- Lt. Spiceras Lt. Spicer
- (uncredited)
Helena Grant
- Fanny Willoughbyas Fanny Willoughby
- (uncredited)
Bonita Granville
- Isabellaas Isabella
- (uncredited)
Carmencita Johnson
- Studentas Student
- (uncredited)
Payne B. Johnson
- School Boyas School Boy
- (uncredited)
Darwood Kaye
- Studentas Student
- (uncredited)
Helen Lynn
- Girlas Girl
- (uncredited)
Lydia McKim
- Schoolgirlas Schoolgirl
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- J.M. Barrie(by)
- Allan Scott(screen play)
- Mortimer Offner(screen play)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
On Quality Street in 1805 England, a gentleman passerby is an event, not only for the lady being called upon, but also for the ever-nosy female neighbors. When Dr. Valentine Brown calls on 20-year-old Phoebe Throssel, she almost expects a marriage proposal; instead, he has come to tell her that he has enlisted in the army to fight in the Napoleonic Wars, with no romantic syllable spoken. 10 years later, Phoebe and her older sister Susan now run a school and neither has married. At first sight of Phoebe, Captain Brown hardly recognizes her--the years haven't been kind to her and she is no longer the pretty young thing he once knew. Heartbroken at his reaction, she decides to pay attention to her appearance, realizing that she has been neglecting it. When Captain Brown returns, he is again stunned, and his reaction spurs Patty, the Throssels' maid, to introduce her as Livvy, their visiting niece. Captain Brown seems enthralled with "Livvy"--as does many a young returning junior officer. Phoebe wades into the situation with no plan except to keep masquerading as Livvy, string along all the junior officers, and make Captain Brown jealous enough to propose marriage to her, which she will then rebuke as a ridiculous suggestion. Will Phoebe be able to pull off the scheme, which includes fooling the ever-knowing spinster Willoughby sisters, the Throssel sisters' closest friends? Or will Captain Brown's admission to Livvy make Phoebe change her plan of attack? —Huggo
- Taglines
- SHE MADE HIM PROPOSE!..and you'll die laughing at her methods..in this captivating comedy of romance on the run! (Print Ad- Lawrence Daily Journal-World, ((Lawrence, Ks)) 17 April 1937)
- Genres
- Certificate
- Not Rated
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaThe original Broadway play starred legendary actress Maude Adams. It opened at the Knickerbocker Theatre in New York on November 11, 1901 and ran for 64 performances.
- GoofsWhen Phoebe and Susan are talking about Mr. B; Phoebe is on a chair and Susan is sitting on a sofa a certain distance near a bonnet. But on the following cuts, Susan's sitting position keeps changing so that she is getting closer and closer to the bonnet.
- Quotes
Mary Willoughby: [Goes to the window and looks out] It's that impertinent recruiting sergeant. I passed him on the street yesterday. He closed one of his eyes at me, then quickly opened it again.
[She demonstrates to the other ladies in the room]
Mary Willoughby: I knew what he meant.
[She looks out again and sees the recruiting officer wink at her. She quickly closes the window curtain]
- Crazy creditsOpening card:
1805 England Quality Street Where a gentleman passerby is an event.
- ConnectionsFeatured in George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (1984)
Top review
not bad
I wasn't expecting much but i'm glad i watched it on turner classic movies. Katharine hepburn is great as usual and george stevens is a good director. I think this is better than the overrated philadelphia story. I also think that is better than most of the films she made with spencer tracy.
helpful•1310
- kyle_furr
- Jan 21, 2004
Details
- Runtime1 hour 23 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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