The Heiress is a 1949 American romantic drama film directed and produced by William Wyler, from a screenplay written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, adapted from their 1947 stage play of the same title, which was itself adapted from Henry James' 1880 novel Washington Square. The film stars Olivia de Havilland as Catherine Sloper, a naive young woman who falls in love with a handsome young man despite the objections of her emotionally abusive father who suspects the man of being a fortune hunter. Montgomery Clift stars as Morris Townsend, and Ralph Richardson as Dr. Sloper.

The Heiress premiered in Los Angeles on October 6, 1949 and was theatrically released by Paramount Pictures on December 28, 1949. Although a box office failure, grossing $2.3 million on a $2.6 million budget, the film garnered critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Wyler's direction, its screenplay and the performances of the cast. The film received a leading eight nominations at the 22nd Academy Awards, including for the Best Picture, and won four awards (more than any other film nominated that year): Best Actress (for de Havilland), Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.

In 1996, The Heiress was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Universal Pictures, through its EMKA division, currently handles distribution of the film.

Plot
In 1849 New York City, Catherine Sloper, a plain and shy young woman, lives with her wealthy father, Dr. Austin Sloper, in the prestigious Washington Square. Catherine's mother, who was charming and talented, has passed away, and Catherine constantly disappoints her father with her lack of social graces. Catherine's Aunt Lavinia Penniman moves in and suggests she help Catherine improve her social skills. 

At a ball, Catherine meets Morris Townsend, a handsome and charming man. Morris, encouraged by Aunt Penniman, pursues Catherine ardently, and she quickly falls in love with him. Despite Dr. Sloper's suspicions that Morris is a fortune hunter, Catherine accepts Morris's marriage proposal. Dr. Sloper arranges a meeting with Morris's sister, who confirms his concerns about Morris's motives. When Morris formally requests Catherine's hand in marriage, Dr. Sloper refuses.

Catherine is distraught by her father's disapproval, but she believes she can still marry Morris with her own inheritance. Dr. Sloper warns that if she marries without his blessing, she will lose her inheritance. Morris convinces Catherine that they should wait for Dr. Sloper's approval and agrees to a plan where they will elope if they still wish to marry after six months abroad.

During Catherine and Dr. Sloper's European trip, Morris frequently visits their home with Aunt Penniman's encouragement. They plan to elope upon Catherine's return, but Dr. Sloper is displeased when he discovers Morris's behavior in his absence. He belittles Catherine's lack of charm and accomplishments, which deeply hurts her.

After Dr. Sloper leaves the room, Catherine sees Morris waiting for her outside in the rain. Overjoyed, she runs to him, and Morris tells her about their planned elopement. However, Catherine insists on leaving that night. Morris asks her to leave a letter for her father, but she refuses, stating that she has learned he despises her. Catherine declares that they must not expect any financial support from her father. Morris's enthusiasm wanes, but Catherine remains unaware. They part, agreeing to meet at 12:30 am.

Catherine waits with her bags packed, and Aunt Penniman offers to stay with her. As time passes without Morris's arrival, Catherine grows anxious. She eventually realizes that Morris has abandoned her upon learning she will not inherit her father's money.

Shortly afterward, Dr. Sloper reveals he is dying. Initially proud of Catherine for rejecting Morris, he discovers the truth and has a bitter argument with her. He contemplates changing his will but ultimately cannot bring himself to disinherit his only child.

Years later, Catherine still lives in the Washington Square house with her aunt. Aunt Penniman informs Catherine that Morris has returned from California. Initially reluctant, Catherine eventually agrees to see him. Morris, now destitute, attempts to win Catherine back. When Morris returns to take her away, Catherine refuses to let him in, leaving him pounding helplessly on the door as she turns off the lights and goes to bed.

Cast

 Olivia de Havilland as Catherine Sloper
 Montgomery Clift as Morris Townsend
 Ralph Richardson as Dr. Austin Sloper
 Miriam Hopkins as Lavinia Penniman
 Vanessa Brown as Maria
 Betty Linley as Mrs. Montgomery
 Ray Collins as Jefferson Almond
 Mona Freeman as Marian Almond
 Selena Royle as Elizabeth Almond
 Paul Lees as Arthur Townsend
 Harry Antrim as Mr. Abeel
 Russ Conway as Quintus
 David Thursby as Geier

Production
After seeing The Heiress on Broadway, Olivia de Havilland approached William Wyler about directing her in a screen adaptation of the play. He agreed and encouraged executives at Paramount Pictures to purchase the rights from the playwrights (Ruth and Augustus Goetz) for $250,000 and offer them $10,000 per week to write the screenplay. The couple were asked to make Morris less of a villain than he was in their play and the original novel in deference to the studio's desire to capitalize on Montgomery Clift's reputation as a romantic leading man.

The film premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on October 6, 1949.

Ralph Richardson reprised the role of Austin Sloper in a London production of the play.

Reception
The Heiress received universal critical acclaim. Bosley Crowther for The New York Times  wrote that the film "crackles with allusive life and fire in its tender and agonized telling of an extraordinarily characterful tale" and added Wyler "has given this somewhat austere drama an absorbing intimacy and a warming illusion of nearness that it did not have on the stage. He has brought the full-bodied people very closely and vividly to view, while maintaining the clarity and sharpness of their personalities, their emotions and their styles...The Heiress is one of the handsome, intense and adult dramas of the year."

The Brooklyn Eagle found the film "an intensely satisfying drama that holds a high level of interest throughout, building relentlessly to a moving climax." Praise for the principals lauded de Havilland especially: "the transformation of Catherine Sloper from a pathetically shy girl to a cold, handsome woman" being "handled with finished skill."

The Philadelphia Inquirer praised the Goetzes for a skillful transformation of their stage version, finding it "in almost every way...superior." Prospects of an Academy Award for de Havilland were judged "thoroughly reasonable" as well.

TV Guide rates the film five out of a possible five stars and adds, "This powerful and compelling drama...owes its triumph to the deft hand of director William Wyler and a remarkable lead performance by Olivia de Havilland.

Time Out London calls the film "typically plush, painstaking and cold...highly professional and heartless."

Channel 4 stated "de Havilland's portrayal...is spine-chilling...Clift brings a subtle ambiguity to one of his least interesting roles, and Richardson is also excellent."

In popular culture
In 1975, the twenty-first episode of the eighth season of The Carol Burnett Show featured a take-off of the film titled "The Lady Heir", with Carol Burnett as Catherine and Roddy McDowell as Morris.

The film's Philippine adaptation, titled Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal, was made in 1992. The adaptation was written by Raquel Villavicencio, produced by Armida Siguion-Reyna, and directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. The film stars Maricel Soriano and Richard Gomez as Adela and David.

Awards and nominations

See also

 Gothic romance film

References

External links

 
 
 
 
 
The Heiress: A Cruel Inheritance an essay by Pamela Hutchinson at the Criterion Collection
The Heiress essay by Daniel Eagan in America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry, A&C Black, 2010 , pages 426-427 

1949 films
1940s historical drama films
American historical drama films
American black-and-white films
Films based on American novels
American films based on plays
Films based on works by Henry James
Films set in the 19th century
Films set in New York City
Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award-winning performance
Films featuring a Best Drama Actress Golden Globe-winning performance
Films whose art director won the Best Art Direction Academy Award
Films that won the Best Original Score Academy Award
Films that won the Best Costume Design Academy Award
Paramount Pictures films
Films directed by William Wyler
Films scored by Aaron Copland
United States National Film Registry films
Films based on adaptations
1949 drama films
1940s English-language films
1940s American films