Peter Ibbetson

Infobox Film
name = Peter Ibbetson


image_size =
caption = Theatrical Poster
director = Henry Hathaway
producer = Louis D. Lighton
writer = Story:
George du Maurier
John Nathaniel Raphael
Screenplay:
John Meehan
Edwin Justus Mayer
Waldemar Young
Constance Collier
Vincent Lawrence
narrator =
starring = Gary Cooper
Ann Harding
music = Ernst Toch
cinematography = Charles Lang
editing = Stuart Heisler
distributor = Paramount Pictures
released = October 31, 1935 (USA)
runtime = 88 minutes
country = USA
language = English
amg_id = 1:105960
imdb_id = 0026866

"Peter Ibbetson" is an American black-and-white drama film released in 1935 and directed by Henry Hathaway. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026866/ "Peter Ibbetson"] at the Internet Movie Database.]

The picture is based on a novel by George du Maurier, first published in 1891. In 1917, du Maurier's story was adapted into a very successful Broadway play starring John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Constance Collier and Laura Hope Crews. The story had also been filmed in 1921, as a silent film called 'Forever" (1921), directed by George Fitzmaurice.

This tale of a love that transcends all obstacles relates the story of two young lovers who are separated in childhood and then drawn together by destiny years later, even after they die. The movie's transitions between reality and fantasy are captured by the cinematography of Charles Lang, as discussed in the documentary "Visions of Light" (1992).

Plot

Peter Ibbetson (Gary Cooper) is an architect working on a restoration job for the British Duke of Towers (John Halliday). He discovers that the Duchess of Towers (Ann Harding) is Mary, his childhood sweetheart. The Duke becomes jealous and pulls a gun on Ibbetson. Ibbetson manages to kill the Duke in self-defense.

Ibbetson is sentenced to life in prison, and despairs that he will never see Mary again. However, the lovers are reunited in one another's dreams, which connect them spiritually. Though the years pass, Peter and Mary remain youthful in their dreams. When they die they are reunited in the next life.

Critical reception

The film was well received by film critics.

Critic Andre Sennwald, in for "The New York Times", liked Henry Hathaway's adaptation of the novel on film, his direction, and the acting. He wrote, "Mr. Hathaway bridges the spiritual gulfs between that rousing super-Western and the fragile dream world of duMaurier's sentimental classic with astonishing success. With his directness and his hearty masculine qualities, he skillfully escapes all the lush pitfalls of the plot and gives it a tenderness that is always gallant instead of merely soft. The photoplay, though it scarcely is a dramatic thunderbolt, possesses a luminous beauty and a sensitive charm that make it attractive and moving. Under Mr. Hathaway's management Miss Ann Harding, who has been losing prestige lately, gives her finest performance, while Gary Cooper fits into the picture with unexpected success." [ [http://movies2.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?_r=1&title1=Peter%20Ibbetson&title2=&reviewer=ANDRE%20SENNWALD%2e&pdate=19351108&v_id=105960&oref=slogin Sennwald, Andre] . "The New York Times", film review, "A New Screen Version of "Peter Ibbetson", at the Radio City Music Hall -- 'It's in the Air,'" November 8, 1935.]

Cast

* Gary Cooper as Peter Ibbetson
* Ann Harding as Mary, Duchess of Towers
* John Halliday as The Duke of Towers
* Ida Lupino as Agnes
* Douglass Dumbrille as Col. Forsythe
* Virginia Weidler as Mimsey (Mary, age 6)
* Dickie Moore as Gogo (Peter, age 8)
* Doris Lloyd as Mrs. Dorian
* Gilbert Emery as Wilkins
* Donald Meek as Mr. Slade
* Marguerite Namara (uncredited) as Madame Ginghi
* Christian Rub as Major Duquesnois
* Elsa Buchanan as Madame Pasquier

Awards

Nominations
* Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Original Music Score, Irvin Talbot (head of departmment); score by Ernst Toch; 1936.

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.amctv.com/show/detail?CID=2573-1-EST "Peter Ibbetson"] at American Movie Classics.