THE WOMAN IN WHITE
US, 1948, 109 minutes, Black and white.
Gig Young, Eleanor Parker, Sidney Greenstreet, Alexis Smith, Agnes Moorehead, John Emery, John Abbott.
Directed by Peter Godfrey.
The Woman in White is a highly entertaining '40s version of Wilkie Collins' 19th century classic. Alexis Smith is charming in the central role of the poor cousin. Eleanor Parker has the double role of the rich niece as well as the woman in white, the mysterious figure lurking in the grounds of the Victorian mansion. Gig Young has a good role as the hero. However, the film is very much Sidney Greenstreet's film, his giving yet another sinister, over the top performance. He is supported in villainy by John Emery. Agnes Moorehead appears as his wife. John Abbott is very effective as the hypochondriac uncle. With this gallery of characters, dramatising the 19th century melodramatic novel, the black and white photography, light and shadow, Max Steiner's moody score, we have an entertaining Warner Bros '40s movie but also an attempt, despite the American accents, to go back to the style of Victorian sinister drama.
The film was directed by Peter Godfrey, a director of a number of films at Warner Bros including Voice of the Turtle, Conflict, The Two Mrs Carrolls.
1.The popularity of Wilkie Collins' novel? The mysterious melodramatic Victorian story? Transferred to Warner Bros films of the '40s?
2.The black and white photography, the Victorian mansion and its grounds? The interiors? The cast? Musical score?
3.The title, the focus on Ann and her mystery? The gradual explanations? The twist with the substitute of Laura for Ann at the end? The build-up to the unmasking and the truth?
4.Walter and his story, the mansion, the railway station, the walk through the dark, the moonlight, the mysterious woman in white, her story and appeal for help? The carriage - and the presence of Count Fosco? His keep it secret? Revealing it to Laura - and then her speaking of it freely? The setting up of the mystery?
5.The family, the family story, the young woman and her pregnancy, going to Italy, giving birth, her remaining in Italy? The mysterious daughter and Count Fosco's plan, the use of Sir Percy Glyde? Putting the young woman in the mental asylum?
6.Walter, his work at the mansion, the interview with Frederick, his hypochondria and his treatment of his servant? The meeting with Marian and her down to earth charm? The servants? The first encounter with Laura, his infatuation with her, telling her the truth? Suspicions of Count Fosco? His work, the two women and their attachment to him? The reappearance of the mystery woman? His feeling that he must go, Laura's engagement to Sir Percy? His return, the confrontation? Laura's marriage? His decision to leave, his return after hearing of Laura's death, his relationship with Marian, their plan to unmask Count Fosco? The confrontation, Sir Percy's death, the rescue of Laura from the asylum? The unmasking of Count Fosco? The epilogue and Walter marrying Marian, their child? Living in the house, Laura and her son?
7.Marian, the poor relation, the companion to Laura? Her welcoming of Walter? Her esteem for Count Fosco and not listening to Walter's accusations? The emphasis on manners and style? Her growing suspicions? The confrontation of her uncle? Walter's leaving? The marriage, the wedding, her return, the servants changed? Her confronting her uncle? Laura's death, her grief? Walter's return? Count Fosco's advances, the jewellery? Her agreeing to go with him - but inviting the police to arrest him? The happy ending and the marriage?
8.Laura, society woman, Sir Percy Glyde, the engagement, her coming to regret it? The hold of Count Fosco and her uncle? The marriage? The unhappiness of the trip to Europe, her manner on return - the smoking? The truth for Marian? The plan for her to sign away the money? Her being kept ill? The death of Ann and her being substituted, Laura put in the asylum, Count Fosco brainwashing her? Her using Ann's information about the change of keys and the escape? The death of Sir Percy? The unmasking of Count Fosco? The widow with her son?
9.Ann as the woman in white, Eleanor Parker playing both roles? In the woods in the night, with Walter? Her reappearance at the house, telling Walter the truth, wanting to warn Laura? Her not being able to see her until after the marriage, coming to the room? The warning? Countess Fosco looking after her, the meal? Her death? The revelation of the truth about Countess Fosco as her mother? Her being buried as Laura - but Walter, the painter, noticing the features and recognising the truth?
10.Count Fosco, his background, Countess Fosco and her being the sister? His treatment of her at the table, the humiliation? The tantalising jewellery? His being an expert on coins, coming to the household, the hold over Frederick? Searching for Ann? Prying, wandering the grounds, the telescope? His taking the letter from Marian with the information about Ann? His sinister behaviour, hold over Sir Percy Glyde? His plan to substitute Ann for Laura? His brainwashing her? His accepting of Marian's proposal, his being prepared to discard his wife? Giving her the jewels? Countess Fosco, her care for her daughter, her disdain for her husband, stabbing him? His death? Her being in the asylum?
11.Sir Percy Glyde, in league with Count Fosco, the plan for the money, the season and Laura, the marriage, his treatment of her, her death? His own death?
12.Frederick, the hypochondria, his manservant and his erratic treatment of him? Controlled by Fosco and Sir Percy Glyde? His fear of being upset?
13.The kindly servants in the house, their being replaced, the new servants?
14.Plausibility of the plot - but given the melodramatic and coincidence style of 19th century novels? Audiences being entertained by these larger than life stories?
