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Wuthering Heights Overview:

Wuthering Heights (1939) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by William Wyler and produced by Samuel Goldwyn.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Emily Brontë published in 1847.

SYNOPSIS

Classic Hollywood's most enduring romance is a sumptuously rendered adaptation of Bronte's 1847 novel. The story of eternal lovers Cathy and Heathcliff (Oberon and Olivier) begins in their childhood. Gypsy boy Olivier and manor-born Oberon become playmates and soul mates as they spend the years frolicking in their imaginary castle among the heather. As they grow to adulthood, jealousy drives Olivier away and ambition drives Oberon into the arms of Niven. Olivier returns a wealthy man, but possessed of a desire for revenge. Knowing Oberon loves him, he lovelessly marries Niven's sister (Fitzgerald), dooming them both to lives of bitterness. But the lovers are reconciled and make a pact to be together for eternity as Oberon slips into death. Beautifully photographed by Toland, with Wyler's characteristic care in composition and performances.

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

Wuthering Heights was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2007.

Academy Awards 1939 --- Ceremony Number 12 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorLaurence OlivierNominated
Best Supporting ActressGeraldine FitzgeraldNominated
Best Art DirectionJames BaseviNominated
Best DirectorWilliam WylerNominated
Best PictureSamuel Goldwyn ProductionsNominated
Best WritingCharles MacArthur, Ben HechtNominated
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Wuthering Heights BlogHub Articles:

WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1970)

By Dan Day, Jr. on Dec 17, 2022 From The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog

This film version of Emily Bronte's novel is covered in John Hamilton's book on the English productions of American International Pictures, WITCHES, BITCHES AND BANSHEES. The book inspired me to seek out the film and watch it. I have to say that I've never read Emily Bronte's novel, and I've never e... Read full article

Wuthering Heights (1939): Death Be My Destiny

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 27, 2019 From 4 Star Films

It’s almost instantly reasonable to clump this cinematic adaptation of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights with other contemporary pictures swirling with gothic menace like Rebecca, Suspicion, and Jane Eyre. The latter film, of course, is based off the novel of another of the Bronte Sister... Read full article

Watching 1939: Wuthering Heights (1939)

on Feb 7, 2019 From Comet Over Hollywood

In 2011, I announced I was trying to see every film released in 1939. This new series chronicles films released in 1939 as I watch them. As we start out this blog feature, this section may become more concrete as I search for a common thread that runs throughout each film of the year. Right now, th... Read full article

Great films of 1939: "Wuthering Heights" September 3 at the Daystar Center

By Stephen Reginald on Sep 2, 2016 From Classic Movie Man

Great films of 1939: "Wuthering Heights" September 3 at the Daystar Center Great films of 1939: Wuthering Heights Where: The Venue 1550 at the Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Chicago, IL When: September 3, 2016 Time: 6:45 p.m. Hosted by Stephen Reginald Wuthering Heights (1939) is the ta... Read full article

Wuthering Heights (1939) (2)

By Beatrice on Jan 23, 2014 From Flickers in Time

Wuthering Heights Directed by William Wyler Written by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht based on the novel by Emily Brontë 1939/USA The Samuel Goldwyn Company First viewing/Warner Home Video DVD #131 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This is a beautiful looking film and Laurence Olivier bec... Read full article

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Wuthering Heights Quotes:

Earnshaw: Children, you may as well learn here and now that you must share what you have with others not as fortunate as yourselves.
Heathcliff: Cathy! Cathy! Come in! Cathy! Come back to me! Oh Cathy, do come! Oh, do, once more! Oh, my heart’s darling! Cathy! My own… my…Cathy!
Lockwood: I’m Lost… I… Can I get a guide from amongst your lads?
Heathcliff: No, you cannot. I’ve only got one and he’s needed here.
Lockwood: Well, then I have to stay ‘til morning.
Heathcliff: Do as you please.
Heathcliff, as a child: Let all the world confess, that there is not in all the world a more beautiful damsel than the Princess Catherine of Yorkshire.
Cathy, as a child: But I - I'm still your slave.
Heathcliff, as a child: No, Cathy. I now make you my queen. Whatever happens out there, here you will always be my queen.
Cathy, as a child: You're so handsome when you smile.
Heathcliff, as a child: Cathy, don't make fun of me.
Cathy, as a child: Don't you know that you're handsome? Do you know what I've always told Ellen? That you're a Prince in disguise.
Heathcliff, as a child: You did?
Cathy, as a child: I said that your father was Emperor of China, your mother a Indian Queen. It's true Heathcliff. You were kidnapped by wicked sailors and brought to England. But I'm glad they did it because I've always wanted to know somebody of noble birth
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Wuthering Heights Facts
The Mitchell Camera Corporation selected Gregg Toland and this picture to be the first to use their new Mitchell BNC camera. This camera model would become the studio standard.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada-April 6, 1939: "Wuthering Heights" may be shown in Quebec Province if certain excisions are made, Arthur Laramee, censor chairman said yesterday. He denied that the film had been formally banned.
Producer Samuel Goldwyn felt that script was too dark for a romance movie, so he asked several writers to do a rewrite on the script, including a young John Huston, who said that the script needed no rewrite, it was perfect as it was.
In the final sequence, the spirits of Heathcliff and Cathy are seen walking their favorite pathway. This was added after filming was complete, and because Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon had already moved on to other projects, doubles had to be used.
The film was not a big financial success when first released. It had to be re-released years later to earn a profit.
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