East Lynne is an adaptation of the book. It has been made several times, but the 1931 edition is the best.
As we begin this rare film, we see Robert Carlyle and Isabella get married. They retire to Carlyle's palatial estate, East Lynne, just outside London. The residence is cared for by Cornelia, Robert's sister, who does not like Isabella at all.
As the years go by, Robert and Izzy have a son, William. But things are not rosy at East Lynne, as Cornelia snubs Izzy at every turn and treats her like dirt because, she feels, Izzy is not good enough for Robert and is hampering his political aspirations.
Izzy, a regular social butterfly, feels confined and caged at East Lynne. So when Robert's friend Captain Levison comes to visit, and agrees to take Izzy to a ball, she jumps at the chance.
However, Cornelia must got to chaperone the two (Robert is very jealous). But, at the last minute, Cornelia comes down with an "illness" and calls off the evening.
Izzy is not about to miss the ball, and goes with Levison.
But upon their return her husband finds out and unjustly accuses his wife of infidelity. He banishes her from East Lynne, and forbids her from ever seeing her son again.
Distraught, she runs off to Europe with Levison in hopes that one day, she may see her son again.
"East Lynne" is a wonderful adaptation of the book with good performances.
The film at first feels like a stuffy British drama but becomes more powerful as the film goes on with an ending you won't "see" coming.
The print of this film is in good shape, but can only be viewed at the UCLA Instructional Media Lab, Powell library.
The print was recently restored, but on three frames, inexplicably, there is an "X" drawn across the frame. One frame has a "Crosshairs" drawn on it, while several others have ink lines.
Oscar film buffs, if you have a chance to go to UCLA and view this film, do so!
As we begin this rare film, we see Robert Carlyle and Isabella get married. They retire to Carlyle's palatial estate, East Lynne, just outside London. The residence is cared for by Cornelia, Robert's sister, who does not like Isabella at all.
As the years go by, Robert and Izzy have a son, William. But things are not rosy at East Lynne, as Cornelia snubs Izzy at every turn and treats her like dirt because, she feels, Izzy is not good enough for Robert and is hampering his political aspirations.
Izzy, a regular social butterfly, feels confined and caged at East Lynne. So when Robert's friend Captain Levison comes to visit, and agrees to take Izzy to a ball, she jumps at the chance.
However, Cornelia must got to chaperone the two (Robert is very jealous). But, at the last minute, Cornelia comes down with an "illness" and calls off the evening.
Izzy is not about to miss the ball, and goes with Levison.
But upon their return her husband finds out and unjustly accuses his wife of infidelity. He banishes her from East Lynne, and forbids her from ever seeing her son again.
Distraught, she runs off to Europe with Levison in hopes that one day, she may see her son again.
"East Lynne" is a wonderful adaptation of the book with good performances.
The film at first feels like a stuffy British drama but becomes more powerful as the film goes on with an ending you won't "see" coming.
The print of this film is in good shape, but can only be viewed at the UCLA Instructional Media Lab, Powell library.
The print was recently restored, but on three frames, inexplicably, there is an "X" drawn across the frame. One frame has a "Crosshairs" drawn on it, while several others have ink lines.
Oscar film buffs, if you have a chance to go to UCLA and view this film, do so!