Stingaree (1934 film)

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Stingaree is a story by E. W. Hornung, published in 1905. It was filmed in 1934, directed by William A. Wellman and starring Irene Dunne and Richard Dix.

[edit] Plot

Hilda Bouverie is an impoverished Australian servant girl in the house of the wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Clarkson in 1874. Mr. Clarkson is kind, but Mrs. Clarkson, a former aspiring opera singer, regards Hilda and Annie, another servant, as little more than slaves. Mrs. Clarkson is excited by the news that Sir Julian Kent, a renowned British composer, is coming to Australia. Meanwhile, Sir Julian arrives and stops over at a tavern, where he hears talk of Stingaree, a notorious highwayman that the police, led by Inspector Radford, are keen to catch. Stingaree then comes in, posing as a fellow Englishman, and he and his sidekick Howie capture Sir Julian and flee, outwitting the police. Mrs. Clarkson goes off to meet Sir Julian, but misses him. While she is away, Hilda, who harbours dreams of being an opera singer herself, plays Sir Julian's new song, and Stingaree comes into the house, pretending to be Sir Julian. He encourages her talent, which the envious Mrs. Clarkson will not allow her to practise. After the Clarkson's arrive home, they soon discover that "Sir Julian" is Stingaree, and he escapes, taking Hilda with him. At his hideout Hilda discovers that Stingaree loves her, ahd she tells him that her parents had the dream of singing, and that when they died she inherited the dream. When Sir Julian finally arrives at the Clarkson's house, Mrs. Clarkson sings his song in an operatic manner, and Stingaree comes and insists that Hilda follow. Hilda then sings, her voice unpretentious by comparison, and Sir Julian invites her to come to England with him. Stingaree and Howie then try to escape, but Stingaree is shot and arrested.

Hilda is reluctant to leave Stingaree behind in prison, but she receives a letter from him telling her to pursue her dream, and that he gave up his freedom for her. She leaves, taking Annie with her. She travels around Europe with Sir Julian, and becomes a famous opera singer. Sir Julian falls in love with her, but she still loves Stingaree. Homesick, she returns to Australia to do a concert in Melbourne. Meanwhile, Stingaree has escaped, and he holds up the Governor General's stagecoach and takes his uniform. Stingaree comes to the concert disguised as the Governor General. When he is recognized, the police pursue him. He comes into Hilda's dressing room, and Hilda offers to give up her singing career for him. They escape through the window, and they ride off together on his horse.