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Olivia De Havilland won her 2nd Best Actress Academy Award for this movie, in which she plays the title character Catherine Sloper--at first a shy, plain daughter of a doctor in 1840s New York's Washington Square. She has lived her whole life in the shadow of her deceased mother, who was adored by her father. And he never lets her forget it! The doctor, played by Ralph Richardson, (who later played Tonia's father in Doctor Zhivago) has never gotten over the death of his wife but is concerned that his daughter has no suitors. Still, he contributes to Catherine's shyness because of his constant downgrading of her social abilities. Enter Mildred Hopkins, whom nobody seems to notice. She is like the Aunt Pittypat of "Gone With the Wind." She is Dr. Sloper's widowed sister, Aunt Lavinia, who arrives to grieve but gets involved with Catherine's dilemma of having no suitors. When Catherine's cousin gets engaged to Arthur Townsend, his cousin Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift) shows interest in the socially aloof Catherine and with hardly any courtship proposes to her. Dr. Sloper is right on the money when he insinuates that Morris is a gigolo--he has squandered a small inheritance by traveling in Europe and has no job. But Catherine, who now has a suitor, believes the best in Morris. And so does Aunt Lavinia. The climax of the movie shows Catherine all in love and blooming with confidence at last. She kisses Morris with gusto and plans an elopement. WOW what a switch! But what happens next I won't tell. There is a second climax at the end which compliments the first climax. Ralph Richardson also was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for this movie. Mildred Hopkins should have been nominated, as she always plays a character with lots of personality. Aaron Copland won an Oscar for Best Score. The haunting song played by Montgomery Clift on the piano in the movie resonates throughout the movie. It goes something like this: The thrill of love lasts but a short time, but the pain of love lasts a lifetime. I think that this is the theme of this movie.Read full review
Olivia de Havilliand won a very well deserved Oscar for portraying a shy, sweet, anxious to please young woman who has a mentally abusive father and a very handsome, dashing, but impoverished young man courting her, for she is an heiress. Because she is an heiress, her father objects to Montgomery Clift, (the young man.) Sir Ralph Richardson portrays the domineering father and almost steals every scene he's in. Another of the great films William Wyler directed. Don't miss it!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This talent cup overflows! I bought this movie because of DeHavilland's talent (Gone With the Wind). The extra bonus, Cliff, Hopkins, Richardson. Also, I enjoy period pieces and black and white movies very much. Catherine is not truly loved by her father. I think he tries to love her, however, she falls short of his impossibly high expectations. He does not have within his heart the natural affection and compassion a "real" father would have for his child. There are more reasons to pity him than Catherine. If not for her aunts she would totally be without love. Morris, oh my, how do I describe Morris? Greedy, self centered, a fool. Great movie, I highly recommend it.
This is a dramatic version of Henry James’s famous novel “Washington Square.” It’s the story of a rich, but plain young woman whose domineering father, a famous and wealthy doctor, becomes convinced that a handsome but poor young man pursuing her is only after her money. It stars Olivia de Havilland as Katherine Sloper, Sir John Gielgud as Dr. Sloper and Montgomery Smith as the handsome suitor. Everyone in the cast is excellent.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Pretty much any movies Olivia De Havilland made in the 40s are worth watching. All the actors in The Heiress are at the top of their game. While this old Universal DVD is not as pristine as the newer Criterion release, it is perfectly serviceable for the price paid.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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