THE WOMAN BETWEEN
US, 1931, 74 minutes, Black-and-white.
Lilly Damita, Anita Louise, Lester Vail, O.P. Heggie, Miriam Seeger.
Directed by Victor Scherzinger.
The plot of The Woman Between is the material of soap-opera and is the kind of story would be very popular in many films in succeeding decades as well as television series and miniseries. It involves an elderly businessman whose wife has died and he has married again, despite the objections of his daughter and of his son. The son objected so much, in memory of his mother, that he left home for many years. As the film opens, he is returning, unexpectedly, and the family is in some turmoil, especially concerning their father’s second wife, the fashion businesswoman, Julie (Lilly Damita).
We are introduced to the father, a seemingly respectable man. We are introduced to his daughter, Doris, a touch flighty, certainly opposed to her step-mother. We also meet her friend, Helen, who is anxious to meet the returning prodigal. Her parents are also guests at the dinner to be held in his honour. The question is whether the stepmother will come, just having returned by ship from Europe.
When they will meet, it is clear that there is something in this and that there is some connection between the son and Julie.
1. The film styles of the early 1930s, black-and-white photography, drawing rooms, dining rooms, fashion shops…? The sound engineering at this early period?
2. The cast, popularity in the 30s? The musical score?
3. The basic plot, soap opera, audience interest in the characters and the situations in the clashes?
4. The introduction to the main characters, the father, businessman, widower, devotion to his wife, decision to marry again, Julie? Her keeping her independence and managing her fashion store? Doris, dislike of Julie, eager to see her brother, her friend Helen and the buying of the dress, Julie’s advice,
her mother’s disdain for the dress, Helen’s father, the mother’s dominance?
5. Victor’s arrival, the excitement, the reconciliation with his father, with Doris, meeting Helen amazed at her growing up?
6. Julie, wary of going in, listening, her husband inviting her, the meeting with Victor, suspicions there was something between them, saying they were on different boats?
7. The role of Doris, relationship with her father, with her brother, antagonism towards the stepmother? Her behaviour at the meal?
8. The father, his behaviour, his wife, Julie, the impact at the dinner?
9. The son, return, long years away, the relationship with Julie, at the house, the pretence, talking together?
10. The final revelation, melodramatic?
