The Heiress (4 stars)

The Heiress, from 1949, is a William Wyler period drama starring Olivia deHavilland, Montgomery Clift, and Ralph Richardson, with Miriam Hopkins taking on a supporting role.  Based on the Henry James novel Washington Square, The Heiress was first brought to life on the stage in 1947.  It is about to begin a new Broadway run...something I will tell you about tomorrow.

In 1840's New York, Catherine Sloper (deHavilland) is the shy, awkward daughter of socially-prominent physician, Austin Sloper.  A widower who has totally pedestalized his late wife, Dr. Sloper can barely stand the sight of his daughter and is ashamed by her gauche behavior. Although she is of marriageable age, he cannot imagine anyone being interested in her---she is not clever, pretty, conversational, or anything else which would draw a suitor to her. The only thing she has is a sum of money left to her by her mother and, upon her father's death, an even larger sum. In short, the fact that she is an heiress is the only reason any man would be interested in her.

One evening, Catherine and her father, along with one of her father's widowed sisters, attend the engagement party of another sister's daughter. At that party, Catherine's awkward ways become apparent to all, and she is even abandoned by a young man who had been requested to dance with her. Alas, though, while she is sitting alone, she is approached by the gallant and handsome Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift), who has just returned to New York after a time abroad. He is most interested in getting to know her and soon comes calling at the Sloper home.

Dr. Sloper is absolutely convinced that Mr. Townsend can be after only one thing...his daughter's fortune. Though Morris tells the doctor he finds Catherine beautiful and charming, since he knows those words do not describe his daughter, Dr. Sloper refuses to support their courtship; he even digs into Morris's background a bit and discovers that Morris has no job nor any prospects for one and that he wasted away a small inheritance by galivanting about Europe. Convinced that Morris Townsend is nothing but a fortune hunter, the doctor forbids Catherine to see him.

Catherine, however, in love with Morris and believing he loves her as well, is willing to defy her father and risk being disowned by him in order to marry Morris.  Thus, the two make plans to elope.

Does Morris really love Catherine? Does he really find her charming?  Or is he just after her money?  Will they follow through on their plans to elope?  What will Catherine's father do when he discovers the marriage?  The answers to these questions will play out in the balance of the film.  I will say that I found the final scene of the film to be one of the most memorable ending scenes in film history.



Receiving a total of eight Academy Award nominations and coming away with a win in four categories, The Heiress is an interesting, exciting, well-acted film. Olivia deHavilland, who garnered her second Best Actress statue for her portrayal of Catherine, is simply fabulous in this role. (It's my favorite of her performances.) Her portrayal of the awkward daughter trying to converse in society pained me right along with her, and when she realized the true extent of her father's feelings for her, again, I grieved along with her.  I completely and totally felt her pain, and yet as Catherine evolved, and the icy hardness of her character was revealed, Miss deHavilland was perfect there as well.  Truly, this role afforded Olivia an opportunity to display the broad range of her talents.

Ralph Richardson, who reprised the role he played on the London stage, received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his work in The Heiress.  His portrayal of Dr. Sloper was terrific. Montgomery Clift was fantastic in his role as well...his character really kept you guessing.  Did he truly love Catherine?  Or was he just after her money?  As always, Monty is gorgeous to look at, though I must admit, I hated the silly little mustache he sported for a time.  I prefer his beautiful face clean-shaven.

While I'm calling The Heiress a 4-star film, it's more like 4.5, and very close to 5---a definite must see!  Out on DVD, it should be fairly easy to track down.  Additionally, the film is available in its entirety on YouTube (in parts.)  I do hope you get a chance to see it.

Happy viewing!