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The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934)
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Overview
Release Date:
8 September 1934 (USA) moreTagline:
When poets love, Heaven and Earth fall back to watch!Plot:
Elizabeth Barrett's tyrannical father has forbidden any of his family to marry. Nevertheless, Elizabeth falls in love with the poet Robert Browning. more | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win moreUser Comments:
Shearer's finest hour moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Norma Shearer | ... | Elizabeth Barrett | |
| Fredric March | ... | Robert Browning | |
| Charles Laughton | ... | Edward Moulton-Barrett | |
| Maureen O'Sullivan | ... | Henrietta Barrett | |
| Katharine Alexander | ... | Arabel Barrett | |
| Ralph Forbes | ... | Captain Surtees Cook | |
| Marion Clayton | ... | Bella Hedley | |
| Ian Wolfe | ... | Harry Bevan | |
| Ferdinand Munier | ... | Dr. Chambers | |
| Una O'Connor | ... | Wilson | |
| Leo G. Carroll | ... | Dr. Waterlow (as Leo Carroll) | |
| Vernon Downing | ... | Octavius Barrett | |
| Neville Clark | ... | Charles Barrett | |
| Matthew Smith | ... | George Barrett | |
| Robert Carleton | ... | Alfred Barrett |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
110 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Filming Locations:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USAMOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
When producer Irving Thalberg cast his wife, Norma Shearer, in the role of Elizabeth Barrett, William Randolph Hearst was enraged that his protégé, Marion Davies , was not given the role. So Hearst pulled Davies out of MGM and placed her with Warner Brothers for the remainder of her career, and for over a year the name "Norma Shearer" did not appear in any Hearst newspapers. moreQuotes:
Henrietta Barrett: Papa, please. I'm not a bad girl, I swear I'm not, only I love him, I love him. He's a good man, it can't be wrong to love him. I want love, I can't live without love. Oh Papa, remember how you loved Mama and how she loved you! moreFAQ
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This was a prestige effort in every way in 1934, gathering together the Academy Award winners of the past three years to appear together in the film version of a highly respected play. That the play no longer holds the stage, and that it is old fashioned melodrama, is hardly the point. The script may lean towards the treacly, but both Charles Laughton and in particular Norma Shearer give it s real lift.
Laughton is somewhat hammy, playing Mr. Barrett as a slightly toned down Dr. Moreau. But I defy anyone to look away; and towards the end of the film he does give a fine impression of a man in torment. But it is Shearer who really carries the film; absolutely lovely performance, restrained and wisely underplaying with Laughton. Observe their final confrontation and note how Shearer's performance rises in intensity as Laughton's grows more subdued. This is a high class of ensemble acting.
Only Fredric March lets the film down by being far too energetic as Robert Browning; meant to be cockily eccentric, he succeeds in putting your teeth on edge. Still, Norma loves him convincingly enough.
A highly recommended film for a rainy afternoon.