Peter Ibbetson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Peter Ibbetson | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Poster |
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| Directed by | Henry Hathaway |
| Produced by | Louis D. Lighton |
| Written by | Story: George du Maurier John Nathaniel Raphael Screenplay: John Meehan Edwin Justus Mayer Waldemar Young Constance Collier Vincent Lawrence |
| Starring | Gary Cooper Ann Harding |
| Music by | Ernst Toch |
| Cinematography | Charles Lang |
| Editing by | Stuart Heisler |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | October 31, 1935 (USA) |
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Peter Ibbetson is an American black-and-white drama film released in 1935 and directed by Henry Hathaway.[1]
The picture is based on the George du Maurier's 1891 novel and the play by John Nathaniel Raphael. It was produced as a very successful play on Broadway in 1917 starring John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Constance Collier and Laura Hope Crews.
This tale of a love that transcends all obstacles relates the story of two young lovers who are separated in childhood and then drawn together by destiny years later, even after they die. The movie's transitions between reality and fantasy are captured by the cinematography of Charles Lang.
The film's cinematography work was discussed in the documentary Visions of Light (1992).
The feature had been made once before, a silent film named Forever (1921) directed by George Fitzmaurice.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The story tells of Peter Ibbetson (Gary Cooper) an architect who is working on a restoration job for the British Duke of Towers (John Halliday).
He discovers that The Duchess of Towers (Ann Harding) is Mary, his childhood sweetheart.
The duke becomes jealous and pulls a gun on Ibbetson, but he kills him in self-defense.
Ibbetson is sent to prison for life and he's certain that he'll never meet Mary again.
However, the lovers are reunited in one another's dreams, which connect them spiritually. The years pass, but the aging Peter and Mary remain youthful in their dreams.
When they pass away they are reunited in the next life.
[edit] Critical reception
The film was well received by film critics.
Critic Andre Sennwald, writing for The New York Times, liked Henry Hathaway's adaptation of the novel on film, his direction, and the acting. He wrote, "Mr. Hathaway bridges the spiritual gulfs between that rousing super-Western and the fragile dream world of duMaurier's sentimental classic with astonishing success. With his directness and his hearty masculine qualities, he skillfully escapes all the lush pitfalls of the plot and gives it a tenderness that is always gallant instead of merely soft. The photoplay, though it scarcely is a dramatic thunderbolt, possesses a luminous beauty and a sensitive charm that make it attractive and moving. Under Mr. Hathaway's management Miss Ann Harding, who has been losing prestige lately, gives her finest performance, while Gary Cooper fits into the picture with unexpected success."[2]
[edit] Cast
- Gary Cooper as Peter Ibbetson
- Ann Harding as Mary, Duchess of Towers
- John Halliday as The Duke of Towers
- Ida Lupino as Agnes
- Douglass Dumbrille as Col. Forsythe
- Virginia Weidler as Mimsey (Mary, age 6)
- Dickie Moore as Gogo (Peter, age 8)
- Doris Lloyd as Mrs. Dorian
- Gilbert Emery as Wilkins
- Donald Meek as Mr. Slade
- Marguerite Namara (uncredited) as Madame Ginghi
- Christian Rub as Major Duquesnois
- Elsa Buchanan as Madame Pasquier
[edit] Awards
Nominations
- Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Original Music Score, Irvin Talbot (head of departmment); score by Ernst Toch; 1936.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Peter Ibbetson at the Internet Movie Database.
- ^ Sennwald, Andre. The New York Times, film review, "A New Screen Version of Peter Ibbetson, at the Radio City Music Hall -- 'It's in the Air,'" November 8, 1935.
