Kitty Foyle (1940)

A hard-working, white-collar girl from a middle-class family meets and falls in love with a young socialite, but she soon clashes with his family.

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Christopher Morley (A novel by), Dalton Trumbo (screen play)

Stars:

Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, James Craig

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ginger Rogers	...	Kitty Foyle
Dennis Morgan	...	Wyn Strafford
James Craig	...	Mark Eisen
Eduardo Ciannelli	...	Giono (as Edward Ciannelli)
Ernest Cossart	...	Tom Foyle
Gladys Cooper	...	Mrs. Strafford
Odette Myrtil	...	Delphine Detaille
Mary Treen	...	Pat Day
K.T. Stevens	...	Molly (as Katharine Stevens)
Walter Kingsford	...	Mr. Kennett
Cecil Cunningham	...	Grandmother
Nella Walker	...	Aunt Jessica
Edward Fielding	...	Uncle Edgar
Kay Linaker	...	Veronica Strafford
Richard Nichols	...	Wyn Strafford VII

Storyline

A white collar worker from a blue collar family, Kitty Foyle has spent her so far short adult life in her hometown of Philadelphia or New York City. She has had two serious relationships, one associated with each city and each man with who she falls in love but in vastly different ways. "Philadelphia" is blue blooded Wyn Strafford VI. Wyn hires Kitty to be his secretary, he the editor for his pet project, a magazine, which is funded by family money. Kitty's now deceased father, despite liking Wyn as a person, warned Kitty against falling in love with him, regardless of his outward intentions, as his type always returned to his own kind. If she believes her father, Kitty may come to the realization that if a union with Wyn were to ever happen, it would not only be to him but to his family and their traditions, they who may have some say in the matter. After the magazine folds, it not making any money, Kitty is forced to look for another job, she feeling she would have more ...

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | philadelphia pennsylvania | snowglobe | illegitimate child | speakeasy | 

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Taglines:

The natural history of a woman.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 December 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kitty Foyle

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Among the many letters that Ginger Rogers received for her work in the film, this was the one that she treasured the most: "Hello Cutie - Saw "Kitty" last night and must write this note to say "That's it!" Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! You were superb Ginge - it was such a solid performance - the kind one seldom sees on stage or screen and it should bring you the highest honors anyone can win!! Hope to see you soon, As ever your, Fred."

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Goofs

At the beginning of the film, it is set in the year 1900. However, the song being played, "I Want a Girl" wasn't written or published until 1911.

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Quotes

Kitty Foyle: [Speaking about children] This is what women want. It isn't men, not really. It's something down inside of them that's the future.

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Connections

Referenced in Citizen Kane (1941)

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Soundtracks

Daisy Bell
(1892) (uncredited)
aka "A Bicycle Built for Two"
Written by Harry Dacre
Played as background music in the prologue

User Reviews

Probably Ginger Roger's best film

While I still prefer a Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire film like TOP HOT, this film is probably Ms. Rogers' best film because she is clearly THE star and the film gives her a good chance to show her acting ability. In fact, for this film she earned the Best Actress Oscar, though I really think that perhaps both Bette Davis' performance in THE LETTER and Katherine Hepburn's in PHILADELPHIA STORY were both a bit better. Perhaps she won that year because KITTY FOYLE is a very sentimental film or perhaps the other two actresses lost because they'd both already received that award. Or, perhaps Hepburn and Davis drew votes from each other. The bottom line, though, is Rogers is very good and compared to her other films, this one really stands out--even after all these years. My preferring the other performances in no way diminishes the fine job she did here. At the time, her winning was considered a big upset, though you can't deny all three performances were superb. And you really cannot be upset about her being chosen--she was deserving.

The film is a romance, though instead of being taught in the traditional linear fashion, it starts near the end and then is told in a long series of flashbacks. This really works well--especially because what you THINK Kitty is about to do at the beginning of the film isn't exactly what you might think. Additionally, these flashbacks are written and directed very deftly and so many little touches help to give this movie a heart. Especially touching were the ballroom dancing sequence with Dennis Morgan as well as the weepy section that soon follows. The bottom line is that this is a complex, well written and acted film that might require you keep a box of Kleenex nearby--just in case. See this movie!