Lydia (film)
Encyclopedia
Lydia is a 1941 drama film, directed by Julien Duvivier
. It stars Merle Oberon
as Lydia MacMillan, a woman whose life is seen from her spoiled, immature youth through bitter and resentful middle years, until at last she is old and accepting. It is a remake of Duvivier
's Un carnet de bal (1937), which starred Marie Bell
as the leading character.
) stages a reunion with three former suitors. She reminisces about her life over a forty year period, the latter part of which has been spent in reclusiveness. The three suitors, former college football star Bob Willard (George Reeves
), musician Frank Audry (Hans Jaray), and Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick (Joseph Cotten
), join with her in remembering their respective romances with Lydia. During the reunion, a surprise fourth arrives—her original true love, Richard Mason (Alan Marshal
), a seafaring adventurer.
Julien Duvivier
Julien Duvivier was a French film director. He was prominent in French cinema in the years 1930-1960...
. It stars Merle Oberon
Merle Oberon
Merle Oberon was an Indian-born British actress best known for her screen performances in The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Cowboy and the Lady . She began her film career in British films as Anne Boleyn in The Private Life of Henry VIII . She travelled to the United States to make films for Samuel...
as Lydia MacMillan, a woman whose life is seen from her spoiled, immature youth through bitter and resentful middle years, until at last she is old and accepting. It is a remake of Duvivier
Julien Duvivier
Julien Duvivier was a French film director. He was prominent in French cinema in the years 1930-1960...
's Un carnet de bal (1937), which starred Marie Bell
Marie Bell
Marie Bell , born Marie-Jeanne Bellon, was a French tragedian, comic actor and stage director. She was the director of the Théâtre du Gymnase in Paris from 1962 onwards, and this theatre now bears her name....
as the leading character.
Plot summary
Elderly Lydia MacMillan (Merle OberonMerle Oberon
Merle Oberon was an Indian-born British actress best known for her screen performances in The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Cowboy and the Lady . She began her film career in British films as Anne Boleyn in The Private Life of Henry VIII . She travelled to the United States to make films for Samuel...
) stages a reunion with three former suitors. She reminisces about her life over a forty year period, the latter part of which has been spent in reclusiveness. The three suitors, former college football star Bob Willard (George Reeves
George Reeves
George Reeves was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950s television program Adventures of Superman....
), musician Frank Audry (Hans Jaray), and Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick (Joseph Cotten
Joseph Cotten
Joseph Cheshire Cotten was an American actor of stage and film. Cotten achieved prominence on Broadway, starring in the original productions of The Philadelphia Story and Sabrina Fair...
), join with her in remembering their respective romances with Lydia. During the reunion, a surprise fourth arrives—her original true love, Richard Mason (Alan Marshal
Alan Marshal (actor)
----Alan Marshal was an Australian-born actor who co-starred with Marlene Dietrich, Irene Dunne, Greta Garbo, Ginger Rogers, and Mae West....
), a seafaring adventurer.
Cast
- Merle OberonMerle OberonMerle Oberon was an Indian-born British actress best known for her screen performances in The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Cowboy and the Lady . She began her film career in British films as Anne Boleyn in The Private Life of Henry VIII . She travelled to the United States to make films for Samuel...
as Lydia MacMillan - Edna May OliverEdna May OliverEdna May Oliver was an American stage and film actress. During the 1930s, she was one of the best-known character actresses in American films, often playing tart-tongued spinsters.-Early life:...
as Sarah MacMillan - Alan MarshalAlan Marshal (actor)----Alan Marshal was an Australian-born actor who co-starred with Marlene Dietrich, Irene Dunne, Greta Garbo, Ginger Rogers, and Mae West....
as Richard Mason - Joseph CottenJoseph CottenJoseph Cheshire Cotten was an American actor of stage and film. Cotten achieved prominence on Broadway, starring in the original productions of The Philadelphia Story and Sabrina Fair...
as Michael Fitzpatrick - Hans Jaray as Frank Andry
- George ReevesGeorge ReevesGeorge Reeves was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950s television program Adventures of Superman....
as Bob Willard - John HallidayJohn HallidayJohn Halliday was an American actor of stage and screen, who often played suave aristocrats and foreigners....
as Fitzpatrick - Sara AllgoodSara Allgood-Biography:Allgood was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her sister was actress Maire O'Neill.Allgood began her acting career at the Abbey Theatre and was in the opening of the Irish National Theatre Society, appearing in many of their plays all over Britain...
as Mary - Billy RayBilly RayWilliam Ray is an American screenwriter and director. He began writing for television and movies in 1994 with Color of Night. He has written numerous movies including Volcano and Hart's War...
as Johnny - Frank Conlan as Old Ned
- Tyler BrookeTyler BrookeTyler Brooke, real name Victor Hugo de Bierre, was an American film actor. He appeared in 92 films between 1915 and 1943....
as Vaudeville Singer (uncredited) - Harry CordingHarry CordingHarry Cording was a British character actor who appeared in many Hollywood films from the 1920s to the 1950s. Due to his stocky build and imposing 6'0 height, he usually portrayed thugs and henchman to the main villain....
as Hotel House Detective (uncredited) - Hal K. Dawson as Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- Jesse Graves as Servant (uncredited)
- Payne B. Johnson as Boy (uncredited)
- Eva Lee Kuney as Little Blind Girl (uncredited)
- Betta St. JohnBetta St. JohnBetta St. John is an American actress, singer and dancer.Born as Betty Jean Striegler, St. John made her film debut at the age of ten in Destry Rides Again and as an orphan in Jane Eyre . She was discovered by Rodgers and Hammerstein and played a small role in the Broadway musical, Carousel in 1945...
as Orphan (uncredited) - Edwin StanleyEdwin StanleyEdwin Stanley , was an American film actor. He appeared in over 230 films between 1916 and 1946.He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:...
as Man on Podium (uncredited) - Pierre WatkinPierre WatkinPierre Watkin was an American actor. He was a character actor in many films, serials and TV series from the 1930s through the 1950s, especially westerns...
as Speaker (uncredited)