Films

Green Dolphin Street (MGM 1947)

Lana and Donna Reed in 1947's "Green Dolphin Street". Lou Valentino Collection.

"I'm bold and scheming and sometimes I think I'm not quite nice."

Production Dates: Mid September, 1946-Mid January, 1947

Release Date: November 5, 1947.

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Van Heflin, Donna Reed, Richard Hart.

Directed by: Victor Saville

Writing Credits: Elizabeth Goudge and Samson Raphaelson

Produced by: Carey Wilson

Original Music by: Bronislau Kaper

Cinematography by: George J. Folsey

Synopsis: Lana and Donna Reed as sisters involved with the same man in 19th century England (and later New Zealand).

My Review: A truly entertaining and heartbreaking film that starts off very dull and stagy but quickly pulls you in and makes you generally care about the characters. Lana and Donna Reed star as sisters, Marianne and Marguerite, who are involved with the same man (William Ozanne) in 19th century England, though it is Marguerite that he is truly in love with and she with him. In a plot element that looks preposterous on paper, when William joins the army, deserts it and tries to start a new life in New Zealand, he writes a drunken letter to Marianne asking for her hand in marriage, though he meant it for Marguerite (!). Much to Marguerite's devastation, Marianne accepts his proposal and sails to New Zealand to marry him. Years pass and the newlyweds settle into marriage and Marianne gives birth to a daughter, amidst an earthquake (which destroys their community and sends one poor, unfortunate native into the earth) and a tidal wave. Marguerite in the mean time decides to give herself to the lord and becomes a nun.

The crazy elements of the story are executed beautifully and you will find yourself wiping a tear from your eye and/or swallowing a lump in your throat, due in part to the strong performances by the seasoned, committed actors. Lana was fresh off of her performance in The Postman Always Rings Twice and MGM wasted no time placing her in this big budget epic. Her character of Marianne starts off as a shallow cold hearted witch but gradually starts to become more likable as the film progresses and her priorities shift from business to motherhood. When she finds out the secret that her husband has been keeping you will find yourself yelling at the screen, "NO MARIANNE! DON'T OPEN THAT!", because you have come to care about what happens to her.

As for the other actors, Donna Reed as Marguerite (though her part is a lot smaller than Lana's. Not sure why) has got to be one of the most sympathetic characters in the history of cinema. What else can possibly happen to this poor girl? After losing the love of her life (to her own sister, mind you) there are others that she loses, folks that are even more dear to her. I suspect that the screen writers wanted to convey the idea that Marguerite is actually the stronger of the two sisters, despite the circumstances. She may weep, but nothing can really keep her down.

Van Heflin is on hand (yet again) as Edmund's good friend and Marianne's "secret admirer". His performance was the one that touched me the most. He will go to the ends of the earth for his love (and does), though she seldom notices him. When he finally gets her alone and admits his feelings to her and she politely rejects him, the most hardened cynic will be crying their head off. In my humble opinion, Heflin was a brilliant actor and only betters every film that he appears in.

This one is a real gem. Although it is a long film, at around two hours and twenty minutes, it's so engrossing that you'll never even notice.

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

Highlights and Trivia

*This was the film that Lana was making when her romance with actor Tyrone Power first began.

*Lana was due to start production on Cass Timberlaine immediately after this film was finished. Production on Cass was SO immediate that when MGM called for some retakes of this film, Lana was forced to make one film in the morning and one at night. Lana's Cass Timberlaine hairdo was tied up underneath her heavy, early 19th century wigs. Lana would forget herself and start talking with her pseudo-English-New Zealand-accent during the filming of Cass and co-star Spencer Tracy would often tease her about it by saying "My aren't we British this morning".

*Exterior scenes for this film were shot in and around Oregon.

*Nominated for an Oscar for best sound recording

*MGM's largest grossing film of 1947

*There was allegedly some bad blood between Lana and actress Linda Christian (who had a small part as a maid) during the making of this film. In her autobiography, Lana claimed that Linda accused her of mistreatment, which Lana denied. Later on Tyrone Power (the love of Lana's life) married Linda in London, thus ending his relationship with Lana. (Thanks Maha for sending that in!)

*Based on the book Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Gouge.

*Won an Oscar for best special effects.

Purchase Green Dolphin Street:

VHS

 

Photo Gallery

Lana, Van Heflin and Van's wife having a bite to eat while on location for "Green Dolphin Street" in 1947.   Lana and actor Edmund Gwen in a scene from "Green Dolphin Street" in 1947.   Lana and Baby Cheryl clown around on the set of Green Dolphin Street in 1947.    "She's bold, she's scheming and sometimes she thinks she's not quite nice. Lana as Marianne in 1947's "Green Dolphin Street". Lou Valentino Collection    Marianne caught up in the middle of a native uprising in 1947's "Green Dolphin Street". Lou Valentino Collection   Lana and Richard Hart in a tense scene from 1947's "Green Dolphin Street".    Lana and Baby Cheryl spend some quality time together on the set of 1947's "Green Dolphin Street".    Lana and Baby Cheryl engage in some witty banter on the set of 1947's "Green Dolphin Street".    Lana screaming for her life in 1947's "Green Dolphin Street". Lou Valentino Collection    Lana giving birth (with the help of Linda Christian) in 1947's "Green Dolphin Street".

Richard Hart, Lana and Van Heflin in a publicity still for 1947's "Green Dolphin Street".    Donna Reed walks down the isle to take her wedding vows in a scene from 1947's "Green Dolphin Street".                    

 

 

 

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