12 Movies Starring Olivia de Havilland

Anthony Adverse

Anthony Adverse

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1936-08-29

Languages:

English, Italian

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

141 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

6.6 (1072 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Hervey Allen (by)

Sheridan Gibney (screen play)

Fullplot:

In late 18th century Italy, a beautiful young woman finds herself married to a rich but cruel older man. However, she is in love with another, younger man. When the husband finds out, he kills the lover in a swordfight, and takes his wife on a long trip throughout Europe. Months later, she dies giving birth to a son. The husband leaves the child at a convent, where he is raised until the age of 10; then he is apprenticed to a local merchant, who gives him the name "Anthony Adverse" because of the adversity in his life. But his adversity has only begun, as fate takes him to Cuba, Africa, and Paris.

The Charge of the Light Brigade

The Charge of the Light Brigade

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1936-10-20

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

115 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.1 (3187 Reviews)

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Cast:

Writer:

Alfred Lord Tennyson (poem)

Michael Jacoby (original story)

Michael Jacoby (screen play)

Rowland Leigh (screen play)

Fullplot:

Major Vickers is an officer at the 27th Lancers in India 1856. When the regiment is on maneuver, the barracks are attacked by Surat Khan and his soldiers who massacre British women and children. This leaves an inextinguishable memory and Vickers promises to revenge the dead.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1938-05-14

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

102 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

(36789 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Norman Reilly Raine (original screenplay: based upon ancient Robin Hood legends)

Seton I. Miller (original screenplay: based upon ancient Robin Hood legends)

Fullplot:

Sir Robin of Locksley, defender of downtrodden Saxons, runs afoul of Norman authority and is forced to turn outlaw. With his band of Merry Men, he robs from the rich, gives to the poor and still has time to woo the lovely Maid Marian, and foil the cruel Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and keep the nefarious Prince John off the throne.

Hold Back the Dawn

Hold Back the Dawn

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1941-09-26

Languages:

English, Spanish

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

116 min

Rated:

NOT RATED

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (1050 Reviews)

Director:

Mitchell Leisen

Genres:

DramaRomance

Cast:

Writer:

Ketti Frings (story)

Charles Brackett

Billy Wilder

Fullplot:

Told in flashback from a preface in which the main character visits Paramount to sell his story! Romanian-French gigolo Georges Iscovescu wishes to enter the USA. Stopped in Mexico by the quota system, he decides to marry an American, then desert her and join his old partner Anita, who's done likewise. But after sweeping teacher Emmy Brown off her feet, he finds her so sweet that love and jealousy endanger his plans.

The Male Animal

The Male Animal

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1942-04-04

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

101 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

6.9 (808 Reviews)

Director:

Elliott Nugent

Cast:

Writer:

Julius J. Epstein (screen play)

Philip G. Epstein (screen play)

Stephen Morehouse Avery (screen play)

James Thurber (from the play by)

Elliott Nugent (from the play by)

Fullplot:

The trustees of Midwestern University have forced three teachers out of their jobs for being suspected communists. Trustee Ed Keller has also threatened mild mannered English Professor Tommy Turner, because he plans to read a controversial piece of prose in class. Tommy is upset that his wife Ellen also suggested he not read the passage. Meanwhile, Ellen's old boyfriend, the football player Joe Ferguson, comes to visit for the homecoming weekend. He takes Ellen out dancing after the football rally, causing Tommy to worry that he will lose her to Joe.

To Each His Own

To Each His Own

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1946-03-12

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

122 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.8 (1415 Reviews)

Director:

Mitchell Leisen

Genres:

DramaRomance

Cast:

Writer:

Charles Brackett (screenplay)

Jacques Thèry (screenplay)

Charles Brackett (story)

Fullplot:

During World War I, small-town girl Josephine Norris has an illegitimate son by an itinerant pilot. After a scheme to adopt him ends up giving him to another family, she devotes her life to loving him from afar.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1938-05-14

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

102 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

(36916 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Norman Reilly Raine (original screenplay: based upon ancient Robin Hood legends)

Seton I. Miller (original screenplay: based upon ancient Robin Hood legends)

Fullplot:

Sir Robin of Locksley, defender of downtrodden Saxons, runs afoul of Norman authority and is forced to turn outlaw. With his band of Merry Men, he robs from the rich, gives to the poor and still has time to woo the lovely Maid Marian, and foil the cruel Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and keep the nefarious Prince John off the throne.

The Snake Pit

The Snake Pit

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1948-11-13

Languages:

English, German

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

108 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.7 (4569 Reviews)

Director:

Anatole Litvak

Genres:

Drama

Cast:

Writer:

Frank Partos (screen play)

Millen Brand (screen play)

Mary Jane Ward (based on the novel by)

Fullplot:

Virginia Cunningham finds herself in a state insane asylum...and can't remember how she got there. In flashback, her husband Robert relates their courtship, marriage, and her developing symptoms. The asylum staff are not demonized, but fear, ignorance and regimentation keep Virginia in a state of misery, as pipesmoking Dr. Mark Kik struggles through wheels within wheels to find the root of her problem. Then a relapse plunges Virginia back into the harrowing 'Snake Pit'...

The Heiress

The Heiress

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1950-02-10

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

115 min

Rated:

PASSED

IMDB Ratings:

8.3 (8858 Reviews)

Director:

William Wyler

Genres:

DramaRomance

Cast:

Writer:

Ruth Goetz (written for the screen by)

Augustus Goetz (written for the screen by)

Ruth Goetz (from the play "The Heiress"by)

Augustus Goetz (from the play "The Heiress"by)

Henry James (suggested by the novel "Washington Square" by)

Fullplot:

In the mid-1800's, the wealthy Sloper family - widowed surgeon Dr. Austin Sloper, his adult daughter Catherine Sloper (Dr. Sloper's only surviving child), and Dr. Sloper's recently widowed sister Lavinia Penniman - live in an opulent house at 16 Washington Square, New York City. They have accrued their wealth largely through Dr. Sloper's hard work. Despite the lessons that Dr. Sloper has paid for in all the social graces for her, Catherine is a plain, simple, awkward and extremely shy woman who spends all her free time alone doing embroidery when she is not doting on her father. Catherine's lack of social charm and beauty - unlike her deceased mother - is obvious to Dr. Sloper, who hopes that Lavinia will act as her guardian in becoming more of a social person, and ultimately as chaperon if Catherine were ever to meet the right man. The first man ever to show Catherine any attention is the handsome Morris Townsend, who she met at a family party. Catherine is initially uncertain as to Morris' intentions, never having been called on before by a gentleman, but she quickly falls in love with him, as he does with her. They plan to be married. Being a romantic, Lavinia does whatever she can to advance their relationship. However, Dr. Sloper does not trust Morris, believing him to be a fortune hunter who is only interested in Catherine for her sizable inheritance. His beliefs are strengthened after a candid discussion with Morris' sister, Mrs. Montgomery. Dr. Sloper does whatever he can to prevent the two from getting married - the entire reason for his disapproval which he does not fully disclose to either Catherine or Morris - including taking Catherine away for an extended European vacation. Ultimately, incidents with both her father and Morris permanently change Catherine's view of life.

My Cousin Rachel

My Cousin Rachel

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1954-12-24

Languages:

English, Italian

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

98 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.2 (1176 Reviews)

Director:

Henry Koster

Cast:

Writer:

Nunnally Johnson (screen play)

Daphne Du Maurier (from the novel by)

Fullplot:

When Philip Ashley's much-loved (and rich) cousin Ambrose dies, he is convinced that Ambrose was murdered by his new wife Rachel to inherit his wealth. But when he meets Rachel and falls in love with her, he knows that his suspicions must have been unfounded. But were they, or is Rachel just trying to use Philip to get at the estate Ambrose left to him instead of to her? And will she murder him next?

Not as a Stranger

Not as a Stranger

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1955-07-01

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

135 min

IMDB Ratings:

6.8 (1224 Reviews)

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Cast:

Writer:

Edna Anhalt (written for the screen by)

Edward Anhalt (written for the screen by)

Morton Thompson (novel)

Fullplot:

Lucas Marsh, an intern bent upon becoming a first-class doctor, not merely a successful one. He courts and marries the warm-hearted Kristina, not out of love but because she is highly knowledgeable in the skills of the operating room and because she has frugally put aside her savings through the years. She will be, as he shrewdly knows, a supportive wife in every way. She helps make him the success he wants to be and cheerfully moves with him to the small town in which he starts his practice. But as much as he tries to be a good husband to the undemanding Kristina, Marsh easily falls into the arms of a local siren and the patience of the long-sorrowing Kristina wears thin. She reasons he no longer needs her and asks for a divorce. A calamity now brings Marsh to his senses. Dr. Runkleman, Marsh's gruff and wise employer, is stricken with a heart attack and requires emergency surgery. Marsh is forced to operate.

Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte

Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1964-12-24

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

133 min

Rated:

UNRATED

IMDB Ratings:

7.7 (7899 Reviews)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Cast:

Writer:

Henry Farrell (screenplay)

Lukas Heller (screenplay)

Henry Farrell (story)

Fullplot:

Aged and wealthy Charlotte Hollis has lived alone and as a recluse in the crumbling family plantation mansion in Hollisport, Louisiana since her father Sam Hollis' death thirty-six years ago. The only people who regularly see her are her hard-as-nails but seemingly loyal housekeeper Velma Crowther, and her longtime friend and physician, Dr. Drew Bayliss. She has lived there the better part of her life except for a short stint in London thirty-seven years ago following the vicious murder of her married lover, John Mayhew, at the plantation's summer house while Sam was hosting one of his legendary grand balls in the mansion. That evening, she and John were going to run off together, that is before he was bludgeoned to death, his right hand and head which were never found. No one was ever convicted for his murder, but most people believe Charlotte did it after John changed his mind about running off with her. Not having seen her in years, they also now believe Charlotte is a crazy old woman, her mental state which turned at or before the murder. Conversely, Charlotte has hidden away as she fears people would always be glaring at her. She also believes any bad thing that has happened to her following John's murder has been initiated by John's widow, Jewel Mayhew, who Charlotte blames for orchestrating the expropriation of her property to build a bridge across the lake. Charlotte is surprised that her younger cousin, Miriam Deering, who left the area years ago never to have returned and who was once Drew's romantic interest, has accepted her invitation to stay at the mansion. While Charlotte wanted Miriam to help her overturn the expropriation with the state government in Baton Rouge, Miriam has instead come to help Charlotte pack her belongings. Miriam's visit coincides with the arrival to Hollisport of insurance investigator Harry Willis, who has always had an interest in this case in why the insurance was never claimed. Not expecting to find anything earth shattering while not wanting to upset the apple cart, he doesn't let anyone know except Sheriff Luke Standish the true nature of his visit. These visits also coincide with Charlotte's mental state seemingly going into decline, perhaps concerning having to leave her family home, but the issues which are always around John's murder. Or is someone or some people trying to drive her crazy if she is not so already? If the latter, the truth behind who killed John and why may finally come to light to those who matter.

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