The Heiress

This article is about the film. For the play, seeThe Heiress (1947 play).For other uses, seeHeiress.

The Heiress
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	William Wyler
Screenplay by	Augustus Goetz Ruth Goetz
Based on	The Heiress by Augustus Goetz Ruth Goetz
Produced by	William Wyler
Starring	Olivia de Havilland Montgomery Clift Ralph Richardson
Cinematography	Leo Tover
Edited by	William Hornbeck
Music by	Aaron Copland
Color process	Black and white
Production company	Paramount Pictures
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release dates	October 6, 1949(1949-10-06) (Premiere) December 28, 1949(1949-12-28) (Wide release)
Running time	115 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2.6 million
Box office	$2.3 million (US rentals)

The Heiressis a 1949 Americanromantic dramafilm directed and produced byWilliam Wyler,from a screenplay written byRuthand Augustus Goetz, adapted from their1947 stage play of the same title,which was itself adapted fromHenry James' 1880 novelWashington Square.The film starsOlivia de Havillandas Catherine Sloper, a naive young woman who falls in love with a handsome young man despite the objections of her emotionally abusive father who suspects the man of being a fortune hunter.Montgomery Cliftstars as Morris Townsend, andRalph Richardsonas Dr. Sloper.

The Heiresspremiered in Los Angeles on October 6, 1949, and was theatrically released byParamount Pictureson December 28, 1949. Although a box office failure, grossing $2.3 million on a $2.6 million budget, the film garnered critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Wyler's direction, its screenplay and the performances of the cast. The film received a leading eight nominations at the22nd Academy Awards,including for theBest Picture,and won four awards (more than any other film nominated that year):Best Actress(for de Havilland),Best Original Score,composed byAaron Copland,Best Production Design,andBest Costume Design.

In 1996,The Heiresswas selected for preservation in the United StatesNational Film Registryby theLibrary of Congressas being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Universal Pictures,through itsEMKAdivision, currently handles distribution of the film.

Plot

In 1849New York City,Catherine Sloper, a plain and shy young woman, lives with her wealthy father, Dr. Austin Sloper, in the prestigious Washington Square. Catherine's mother, who was charming and talented, died early, and quiet Catherine constantly disappoints her father with her lack of social graces. Catherine's widowed Aunt Lavinia Penniman moves in and suggests she help Catherine improve her social skills.

At a ball, Catherine meets Morris Townsend, a handsome and charming, but poor, young man. Morris, encouraged by Aunt Penniman, pursues Catherine ardently, and she quickly falls in love with him. Catherine accepts and blossoms under Morris's courtship, but Dr. Sloper suspects Morris is a fortune hunter only interested in his plain daughter's wealth, and investigations into Morris's family relations confirm Dr. Sloper's poor opinion.

When Morris formally requests Catherine's hand in marriage, Catherine is elated, but Dr. Sloper refuses. Dr. Sloper vows he will disinherit Catherine if she marries Morris without his blessing and arranges to take her on an extended trip to Europe to separate the pair as a 'test'. Catherine is torn by her desire for her father's approval, but is becoming more and more eager to marry Morris regardless and become independent.

Morris convinces Catherine to wait and earn Dr. Sloper's approval during this separation and promises to remain true while she is away. During Catherine and Dr. Sloper's European trip, Morris frequently visits the Sloper home and behaves with proprietary ownership over the property and personal contents of the house.

Dr. Sloper is disappointed his daughter does not gain any sophistication from the trip and remains devoted to Morris. Upon their return home, he reveals his poor opinion of his child at last and cruelly belittles his daughter's lack of intelligence, beauty, and accomplishment, making it clear he views her as impossible to be attractive to a man outside of her inheritance.

Wounded and angry, Catherine becomes determined to prove her father wrong and elope with Morris. Catherine runs to Morris and begs him to arrange their immediate elopement. Certain Morris loves her and wanting to cut free from her father, Catherine tells Morris about her pending disinheritance as they discuss the details of her sneaking out to meet him, and makes it clear they can expect nothing from her father ever again.

Catherine waits with her bags packed, and Aunt Penniman, who helped facilitate the plans, offers to stay with her, but is dismayed that Catherine stupidly revealed there would be no money from her father. Aunt Penniman believes Morris is Catherine's only chance at marriage, and that it would be best if they got married first and then dealt with the aftermath.

As the appointed time comes and passes without Morris's arrival, Catherine realizes that Morris has abandoned her upon learning she will not inherit her father's wealth and brokenly returns to her room.

Shortly afterward, Dr. Sloper reveals he is dying. Because he was initially proud of Catherine for rejecting Morris, Catherine at last gets her revenge on him by denying him the ability to die peacefully. In a bitter argument, Catherine tells him she planned to elope and was rejected and says he has cheated her by denying her even the chance to 'buy' a husband who would pretend to love her. If he leaves her his money, she might waste it on Morris or other fortune hunters. Dr. Sloper dies fretting until his last breath on if he should change his will but ultimately cannot bring himself to disinherit his only child.

Years later, wealthy, independent, and single, Catherine still lives in the Washington Square house with her aunt. Aunt Penniman informs Catherine that Morris has returned from California. Initially reluctant, Catherine eventually agrees to see him. Morris, now destitute, attempts to win Catherine back. Catherine proposes they recreate their failed elopement. When Morris returns to take her away, Catherine refuses to let him in, leaving him pounding helplessly on the door as she turns off the lights and goes to bed.

Cast

• Olivia de Havillandas Catherine Sloper
• Montgomery Cliftas Morris Townsend
• Ralph Richardsonas Dr. Austin Sloper
• Miriam Hopkinsas Lavinia Penniman
• Vanessa Brownas Maria/Mariah
• Betty Linley as Mrs. Montgomery
• Ray Collinsas Jefferson Almond
• Mona Freemanas Marian Almond
• Selena Royleas Elizabeth Almond
• Paul Lees as Arthur Townsend
• Harry Antrimas Mr. Abeel
• Russ Conwayas Quintus
• David Thursby as Geier

Production

After seeingThe Heiresson Broadway,Olivia de Havillandapproached William Wyler about directing her in a screen adaptation of the play.He agreed and encouraged executives atParamount Picturesto purchase the rights from the playwrights (Ruthand Augustus Goetz) for $250,000 and offer them $10,000 per week to write the screenplay. The couple were asked to make Morris less of a villain than he was in their play and the original novel in deference to the studio's desire to capitalize onMontgomery Clift's reputation as a romantic leading man.

The film premiered atRadio City Music Hallin New York City on October 6, 1949.

Ralph Richardsonreprised the role of Austin Sloper in a London production of the play.

Reception

The Heiressreceived universal critical acclaim.Bosley CrowtherforThe New York Timeswrote that the film "crackles with allusive life and fire in its tender and agonized telling of an extraordinarily characterful tale" and added Wyler "has given this somewhat austere drama an absorbing intimacy and a warming illusion of nearness that it did not have on the stage. He has brought the full-bodied people very closely and vividly to view, while maintaining the clarity and sharpness of their personalities, their emotions and their styles...The Heiressis one of the handsome, intense and adult dramas of the year. "The movie premiered at theRadio City Music Hall.

TheBrooklyn Eaglefound the film "an intensely satisfying drama that holds a high level of interest throughout, building relentlessly to a moving climax." Praise for the principals lauded de Havilland especially: "the transformation of Catherine Sloper from a pathetically shy girl to a cold, handsome woman" being "handled with finished skill."

The Philadelphia Inquirerpraised the Goetzes for a skillful transformation of their stage version, finding it "in almost every way...superior." Prospects of an Academy Award for de Havilland were judged "thoroughly reasonable" as well.

TV Guiderates the film five out of a possible five stars and adds, "This powerful and compelling drama...owes its triumph to the deft hand of director William Wyler and a remarkable lead performance by Olivia de Havilland".

Time Out Londoncalls the film "typically plush, painstaking and cold...highly professional and heartless."

Channel 4 stated "de Havilland's portrayal...is spine-chilling...Clift brings a subtle ambiguity to one of his least interesting roles, and Richardson is also excellent."

Influence

Martin Scorsesehas citedThe Heiressas a key influence on his 2023 filmKillers of the Flower Moon.Specifically, the portrayal ofMollie Kyleand her relationship with her husbandErnest Burkhartdrew inspiration from de Havilland's portrayal of Catherine and her relationship with Morris.

In popular culture

In 1975, the twenty-first episode of the eighth season ofThe Carol Burnett Showfeatured a take-off of the film titled "The Lady Heir", withCarol Burnettas Catherine andRoddy McDowellas Morris.

The film's Philippine adaptation, titledIkaw Pa Lang ang Minahal,was made in 1992. The adaptation was written by Raquel Villavicencio, produced byArmida Siguion-Reyna,and directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. The film starsMaricel SorianoandRichard Gomezas Adela and David.

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
Academy Awards	Best Picture	William Wyler	Nominated
	Best Director		Nominated
	Best Actress	Olivia de Havilland	Won
	Best Supporting Actor	Ralph Richardson	Nominated
	Best Art Direction-Set Decoration – Black-and-White	John Meehan,Harry HornerandEmile Kuri	Won
	Best Cinematography – Black-and-White	Leo Tover	Nominated
	Best Costume Design – Black and White	Edith HeadandGile Steele	Won
	Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture	Aaron Copland	Won
Golden Globe Awards	Best Actress in a Motion Picture	Olivia de Havilland	Won
	Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture	Miriam Hopkins	Nominated
	Best Director – Motion Picture	William Wyler	Nominated
National Board of Review Awards	Top Ten Films		4th Place
	Best Actor	Ralph Richardson(also forThe Fallen Idol)	Won
National Film Preservation Board	National Film Registry		Inducted
New York Film Critics Circle Awards	Best Actor	Ralph Richardson	Nominated
	Best Actress	Olivia de Havilland	Won
Writers Guild of America Awards	Best Written American Drama	Ruth Goetzand August Goetz	Nominated

See also

• Gothic romance film

External links

• The HeiressatIMDb
• The Heiressat theTCM Movie Database
• The HeiressatRotten Tomatoes
• The HeiressatAllMovie
• The Heiressat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films
• The Heiress: A Cruel Inheritancean essay by Pamela Hutchinson at theCriterion Collection
• The Heiressessay by Daniel Eagan in America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in theNational Film Registry,A&C Black, 2010ISBN0826429777,pages 426-427