A lie prevents Charlotte Lovell from getting married to a decent man, Joseph Ralston. Delia, her scheming cousin, can't forgive Charlotte how she was able to get her old flame, Clem, even though she had refused to have anything to do with him when he returns home on her wedding day to the rich Jim Ralston.
Charlotte, who is seen years later running a place for orphans of the Civil War, dotes on little Clementina, or Tina, as she calls her. One realizes it's not just an interest she shows, it's a mother love she displays. Fate intervenes again in bringing Charlotte and Tina to live with Delia, who loses her husband. Tina loves her new palatial surroundings and starts resenting Charlotte's discipline.
When Tina falls for the handsome Lanning Halsey, she overhears his parents remarking that the young lady is an orphan and below their expectations for their son. Delia intervenes one more time in suggesting she will adopt Tina to give her a Ralston name and position. Charlotte wants Delia to tell Tina the truth and who the real mother is, but at the last moment has a change of heart when she looks at the radiant Tina as she is preparing to marry the man of her dreams.
Bette Davis made a valuable contribution to the film. Her Charlotte is at the start an eager young woman who changes into a bitter person as she gets to know her cousin's betrayal and her daughter's cold treatment. Miriam Hopkins plays Delia, a selfish woman, with conviction. George Brent is only seen at the beginning of the film. He plays Clem, who goes to war, never to come back. Jane Bryan is Tina, the young lady unaware who her real mother is. Jerome Cowan, Donald Crisp, William Lundigan and the rest of the supporting cast do an excellent job.
Edmund Goulding directed with an eye to the details in this adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel, which had been turned into a play for the New York stage. Max Steiner's music plays well against the background of the Civil War. Tony Gaudio's elegant cinematography is notable as it captures the essence of the story in vivid images.
Although not one of Bette Davis' best films, it's a must for all fans of the actress' work. The best achievement is how we see her age in front of our eyes into a convincing old woman.
Charlotte, who is seen years later running a place for orphans of the Civil War, dotes on little Clementina, or Tina, as she calls her. One realizes it's not just an interest she shows, it's a mother love she displays. Fate intervenes again in bringing Charlotte and Tina to live with Delia, who loses her husband. Tina loves her new palatial surroundings and starts resenting Charlotte's discipline.
When Tina falls for the handsome Lanning Halsey, she overhears his parents remarking that the young lady is an orphan and below their expectations for their son. Delia intervenes one more time in suggesting she will adopt Tina to give her a Ralston name and position. Charlotte wants Delia to tell Tina the truth and who the real mother is, but at the last moment has a change of heart when she looks at the radiant Tina as she is preparing to marry the man of her dreams.
Bette Davis made a valuable contribution to the film. Her Charlotte is at the start an eager young woman who changes into a bitter person as she gets to know her cousin's betrayal and her daughter's cold treatment. Miriam Hopkins plays Delia, a selfish woman, with conviction. George Brent is only seen at the beginning of the film. He plays Clem, who goes to war, never to come back. Jane Bryan is Tina, the young lady unaware who her real mother is. Jerome Cowan, Donald Crisp, William Lundigan and the rest of the supporting cast do an excellent job.
Edmund Goulding directed with an eye to the details in this adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel, which had been turned into a play for the New York stage. Max Steiner's music plays well against the background of the Civil War. Tony Gaudio's elegant cinematography is notable as it captures the essence of the story in vivid images.
Although not one of Bette Davis' best films, it's a must for all fans of the actress' work. The best achievement is how we see her age in front of our eyes into a convincing old woman.