Henry James based his 1881 novella Washington Square on a real-life incident, wherein a young actor of his acquaintance married an unattractive but very wealthy young woman for the express purpose of living the rest of his life in luxury. Washington Square was turned into a stage play in 1946 by Ruth and Augustus Goetz; this, in turn was adapted for the movies under the title The Heiress. Olivia DeHavilland won an Academy Award (her second) for her portrayal of Catherine Sloper, the plain-Jane daughter of wealthy widower ...
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Henry James based his 1881 novella Washington Square on a real-life incident, wherein a young actor of his acquaintance married an unattractive but very wealthy young woman for the express purpose of living the rest of his life in luxury. Washington Square was turned into a stage play in 1946 by Ruth and Augustus Goetz; this, in turn was adapted for the movies under the title The Heiress. Olivia DeHavilland won an Academy Award (her second) for her portrayal of Catherine Sloper, the plain-Jane daughter of wealthy widower Dr. Austin Sloper (Ralph Richardson). Catherine is not only unattractive, but lacks most of the social graces, thanks in great part to the domineering attitudes of her father. When Catherine falls in love with handsome young Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift), she is convinced that her love is reciprocated, else why would Morris be so affectionate towards her? Dr. Sloper sees things differently, correctly perceiving that Morris is a callow fortune hunter. Standing up to her father for the first time in her life, Catherine insists that she will elope with Morris; but when Dr. Sloper threatens to cut off her dowry, Morris disappears. Still, Catherine threatens to run off with the next young man who pays any attention to her; Sloper, belatedly realizing how much he has hurt his only child, arranges to leave her his entire fortune. Years pass: Morris returns, insisting that he'd only left because he didn't want to cause Catherine the "grief" of being disinherited. Seemingly touched by Morris' "sincerity", Catherine agrees to elope with him immediately. But when Morris arrives at the appointed hour, he finds the door locked and bolted. Asked how she can treat Morris so cruelly, Catherine replies coldly "Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters." Though The Heiress ends on a downbeat note, the audience is gratified to know that Catherine Sloper has matured from ugly-duckling loser to a tower of strength who will never allow herself to be manipulated by anyone ever again. Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins, Montgomery Clift, Olivia de Havilland. Very good. 1949 Run time: 116. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins, Montgomery Clift, Olivia de Havilland. Very good. 1949 Run time: 116. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins, Montgomery Clift, Olivia de Havilland. Very good. 1949 Run time: 116. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins, Montgomery Clift, Olivia de Havilland. Very good. 1949 Run time: 116. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins, Montgomery Clift, Olivia de Havilland. Very good. 1949 Run time: 116. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins, Montgomery Clift, Olivia de Havilland. Very good. 1949 Run time: 116. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins, Montgomery Clift, Olivia de Havilland. Very good. 1949 Run time: 116. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Miriam Hopkins, Ralph Richardson. New. 1949 Run time: 116. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
this movie was based on a hit stage play that was based on an american classic novel by henry james. sometimes there is too much baggage when adapting from medium to medium and something suffers. not this time however. the story of an ugly duckling, a wealthy one at that, who is psycologicaly abused by a cold and distant father, then ricocheted to a handsome and smooth fortune hunter, only to have a betrayal by him proves to be the fire that molds the heires's character. this movie proves the axiom that character is fate. music is by aaron copeland, the movie is in black and white,but the sets and period details are beautifully appointed. directed by william wyler, it is probably one of the landmark movies of the 1940s.