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The Heiress Overview:

The Heiress (1949) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by William Wyler and produced by William Wyler, Robert Wyler and Lester Koenig.

The film was based on the novel Washington Square and also Serial, Cornhill Magazine & Harper's New Monthly Magazine; also Stage Play "The Heiress" written by Henry James published in 1880 (novel); 1880 (magazines); Sep 29, 1947 - Sep 18, 1948 (performed at Biltmore Theatre, NY).

SYNOPSIS

A superb cinematic version of Henry James's novel Washington Square. After discovering that his bride-to-be (de Havilland) is going to be disinherited by her brutally overbearing father (Richardson), a handsome young fortune hunter (Clift) jilts her on the night of their elopement. Years later, when the woman's fortune is secured, the man returns and asks for her hand, but his erstwhile sweetheart exacts her revenge. Copland's score is magnificent.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

The Heiress was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1996.

Academy Awards 1949 --- Ceremony Number 22 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorRalph RichardsonNominated
Best ActressOlivia de HavillandWon
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Harry Horner, John Meehan; Set Decoration: Emile KuriWon
Best CinematographyLeo ToverNominated
Best Costume DesignEdith Head, Gile SteeleWon
Best DirectorWilliam WylerNominated
Best Music - ScoringAaron CoplandWon
Best PictureParamountNominated
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The Heiress BlogHub Articles:

The Heiress (1949, William Wyler)

By Andrew Wickliffe on Jul 1, 2019 From The Stop Button

My favorite moment in The Heiress is when Olivia de Havilland has a slight tremor, watching someone walk away after she’s just told them off. It’s this fantastic glimpse into her character. The film has something of a double twist ending, so it’s going to be hard to talk around various spoiler... Read full article

The Heiress (1949, William Wyler)

By Andrew Wickliffe on Jul 1, 2019 From The Stop Button

My favorite moment in The Heiress is when Olivia de Havilland has a slight tremor, watching someone walk away after she’s just told them off. It’s this fantastic glimpse into her character. The film has something of a double twist ending, so it’s going to be hard to talk around various spoiler... Read full article

The Heiress (1949, William Wyler)

on Jul 1, 2019 From The Stop Button

My favorite moment in The Heiress is when Olivia de Havilland has a slight tremor, watching someone walk away after she’s just told them off. It’s this fantastic glimpse into her character. The film has something of a double twist ending, so it’s going to be hard to talk around various spoiler... Read full article

The Heiress (1949, William Wyler)

on Jul 1, 2019 From The Stop Button

My favorite moment in The Heiress is when Olivia de Havilland has a slight tremor, watching someone walk away after she’s just told them off. It’s this fantastic glimpse into her character. The film has something of a double twist ending, so it’s going to be hard to talk around various spoiler... Read full article

The Heiress (1949)

By Beatrice on May 14, 2015 From Flickers in Time

The Heiress Directed by William Wyler Written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz from their play and suggested by the novel Washington Square by Henry James 1949/USA Paramount Pictures First viewing/Netflix rental #229 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die For some reason I waited until now before s... Read full article

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The Heiress Quotes:

Catherine Sloper: He's grown greedier over the years. Before he only wanted my money; now he wants my love as well. Well, he came to the wrong house - and he came twice. I shall see that he does not come a third time.
Aunt Penniman: Can you be so cruel?
Catherine Sloper: Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters.
Catherine Sloper: He must come, he must take me away, he must love me, he must. Morris will love me - for all those who didn't.
Catherine Sloper: Bolt the door, Maria!
Catherine Sloper: Don't be kind to me, father. It doesn't become you.
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The Heiress Facts
Olivia de Havilland wisely chose William Wyler as her director, considering that such a meticulous director would be able to coax a strong performance from her. As it turned out, Wyler became a staunch supporter of his leading actress, particularly in regard to the sneering attitude that Montgomery Clift displayed toward her (he didn't value her talents as an actress) and Ralph Richardson taking every opportunity to steal scenes from under her nose with his improvisations.
Montgomery Clift learned to play the piano for the scene where he sings, "The Joys of Love" to Olivia de Havilland.
One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by MCA ever since.
In Italian, the actors are dubbed by: Lidia Simoneschi (Olivia De Havilland); Giulio Panicali (Montgomery Clift); Sandro Ruffini (Ralph Richardson); Andreina Pagnani (Miriam Hopkins); Rosetta Calavetta (Vanessa Brown); Miranda Bonansea (Mona Freeman) and Gaetano Verna (Ray Collins).
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on September 11, 1950 with Olivia de Havilland reprising her film role.
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