After losing his wife in the sinking of the Lusitania, wealthy Penn Gaylord enlists to serve in the first world war, leaving his three young daughters in the care of the family servants.
Telling the oldest daughter, Fiona, that she is now the head of the household, Penn instructs her to see to it that the house, which has been in the family for three generations, continues to be run by the Gaylord servants in the Gaylord manner.
After reminding Fiona that the land is the Gaylord's religion and obtaining her promise to never sell the land, Mr. Gaylord sets off for Europe, where not long afterwards, he is killed in battle. Although Gaylord's will had been considered indestructible, for twenty years it has been contested and appealed, leaving the girls unable to receive their inheritance.
Each of the three Gaylord daughters---now a grown woman---has her own struggles and heartache. There's Susanna (Nancy Coleman), the baby of the family. In love with an artist named Gig Young (played by Gig Young), she wants to annul a hastily-made 4-hour marriage. When the husband refuses to give her an annulment, Susanna hopes to buy him off with part of the Gaylord fortune---if the will ever gets probated, that is.
Middle daughter, Evalyne (Geraldine Fitzgerald), had run off to England years earlier, where she married a man in the RAF and captured the title Lady Burton for herself. Now back home, she is up to her old habit of wanting whatever it is Susanna has---this time wanting Gig.
Strong, feisty, tough-as-nails oldest daughter, Fiona (Barbara Stanwyck), is the one who refuses to allow the will to be settled.
Clinging tightly to her promise to always hold onto the land, she has no intention of allowing it to slip into the hands of Charles Barclay (George Brent)---even if the man does claim her father made another will while overseas...a will which gave his charity possession of the land.
It soon becomes apparent, though, that Fiona's refusal to settle with Barclay has just as much to do with her secret past relationship with the man as it does with her promise to her father.
What is it about Barclay which so raises Fiona's ire? Why won't Barclay compromise with Fiona? Will Susanna get the money for her divorce and, thus, marry Gig before Evalyne steals him from her? Does Evalyne really even want him? Does he want her? And just who is the little boy Fiona brought home from a trip to the country? These are the questions which play out in this enjoyable film.
The Gay Sisters is a great little film, which showcases the completely wonderful talent of Barbara Stanwyck. She is terrific in this role---strong and feisty, yet with a touch of tenderness. Her scenes with the little boy are adorable. Nancy Coleman and Geraldine Fitzgerald were both really great in their roles as well, and I must say the casting of the little girl who portrayed the young Susanna was spot-on. I could truly see that girl growing up to look exactly like Nancy Coleman. And George Brent---he's really wonderful here...strong, dashing, exciting. His chemistry with Miss Stanwyck was super. Actually, I think he had great chemistry with whomever he worked with! I guess he just had one of those personalities which mixed well with everyone. Gig Young playing Gig Young was a bit on the odd side---not sure what that was all about, but he was more than adequate in the role.
This movie is not out on DVD; however, it is available on YouTube (in several different parts). Go HERE for part 1. Also, it is on the TCM schedule for this Friday, March 9th at 9:00 a.m. (ET). Hope you get a chance to see it.
Happy viewing!!
