The Heiress (1949) | |
| Director(s) | William Wyler |
| Producer(s) | Lester Koenig (associate), Robert Wyler (associate), William Wyler |
| Top Genres | Drama, Film Adaptation, Romance |
| Top Topics | Based on Play, Book-Based, Money, Romance (Drama), Spinsters |
Featured Cast:
The Heiress Overview:
The Heiress (1949) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by William Wyler and produced by William Wyler, Robert Wyler and Lester Koenig.
The film was based on the novel Washington Square and also Serial, Cornhill Magazine & Harper's New Monthly Magazine; also Stage Play "The Heiress" written by Henry James published in 1880 (novel); 1880 (magazines); Sep 29, 1947 - Sep 18, 1948 (performed at Biltmore Theatre, NY).
SYNOPSIS
A superb cinematic version of Henry James's novel Washington Square. After discovering that his bride-to-be (de Havilland) is going to be disinherited by her brutally overbearing father (Richardson), a handsome young fortune hunter (Clift) jilts her on the night of their elopement. Years later, when the woman's fortune is secured, the man returns and asks for her hand, but his erstwhile sweetheart exacts her revenge. Copland's score is magnificent.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.The Heiress was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1996.
Academy Awards 1949 --- Ceremony Number 22 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Supporting Actor | Ralph Richardson | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Olivia de Havilland | Won |
| Best Art Direction | Art Direction: Harry Horner, John Meehan; Set Decoration: Emile Kuri | Won |
| Best Cinematography | Leo Tover | Nominated |
| Best Costume Design | Edith Head, Gile Steele | Won |
| Best Director | William Wyler | Nominated |
| Best Music - Scoring | Aaron Copland | Won |
| Best Picture | Paramount | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Olivia de Havilland is “The Heiress”
By Stephen Reginald on Mar 31, 2025 From Classic Movie ManOlivia de Havilland is “The Heiress” The Heiress (1949) is an American drama produced and directed by William Wyler and starring Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, and Ralph Richardson. The supporting cast included Miriam Hopkins, Mona Freeman, Selena Royle, and Vanessa Brown.Th... Read full article
The Heiress (1949, William Wyler)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Jul 1, 2019 From The Stop ButtonMy favorite moment in The Heiress is when Olivia de Havilland has a slight tremor, watching someone walk away after she?s just told them off. It?s this fantastic glimpse into her character. The film has something of a double twist ending, so it?s going to be hard to talk around various spoilers but ... Read full article
The Heiress (1949, William Wyler)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Jul 1, 2019 From The Stop ButtonMy favorite moment in The Heiress is when Olivia de Havilland has a slight tremor, watching someone walk away after she?s just told them off. It?s this fantastic glimpse into her character. The film has something of a double twist ending, so it?s going to be hard to talk around various spoilers but ... Read full article
The Heiress (1949, William Wyler)
on Jul 1, 2019 From The Stop ButtonMy favorite moment in The Heiress is when Olivia de Havilland has a slight tremor, watching someone walk away after she?s just told them off. It?s this fantastic glimpse into her character. The film has something of a double twist ending, so it?s going to be hard to talk around various spoilers but ... Read full article
The Heiress (1949, William Wyler)
on Jul 1, 2019 From The Stop ButtonMy favorite moment in The Heiress is when Olivia de Havilland has a slight tremor, watching someone walk away after she?s just told them off. It?s this fantastic glimpse into her character. The film has something of a double twist ending, so it?s going to be hard to talk around various spoilers but ... Read full article
See all The Heiress articles
Quotes from
Catherine Sloper: Bolt the door, Maria!
Aunt Penniman: Can you be so cruel?
Catherine Sloper: Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters.
read more quotes from The Heiress...
Facts about
This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1996.
Olivia de Havilland wisely chose William Wyler as her director, considering that such a meticulous director would be able to coax a strong performance from her. As it turned out, Wyler became a staunch supporter of his leading actress, particularly in regard to the sneering attitude that Montgomery Clift displayed toward her (he didn't value her talents as an actress) and Ralph Richardson taking every opportunity to steal scenes from under her nose with his improvisations.
read more facts about The Heiress...
