Henry James based his 1881 novella -Washington Square on a real-life incident, wherein a young actor of his acquaintance married an unattractive but very wealthy young woman for the express purpose of living the rest of his life in luxury. -Washington Square was turned into a stage play in 1946 by Ruth and Augustus Goetz; this, in turn was adapted for the movies under the title The Heiress. Olivia DeHavilland won an Academy Award (her second) for her portrayal of Catherine Sloper, the plain-Jane daughter of wealthy widower Dr. Austin Sloper (Ralph Richardson). Catherine is not only unattractive, but lacks most of the social graces, thanks in great part to the domineering attitudes of her father. When Catherine falls in love with handsome young Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift), she is convinced that her love is reciprocated, else why would Morris be so affectionate towards her? Dr. Sloper sees things differently, correctly perceiving that Morris is a callow fortune hunter. Standing up to her father for the first time in her life, Catherine insists that she will elope with Morris; but when Dr. Sloper threatens to cut off her dowry, Morris disappears. Still, Catherine threatens to run off with the next young man who pays any attention to her; Sloper, belatedly realizing how much he has hurt his only child, arranges to leave her his entire fortune. Years pass: Morris returns, insisting that he'd only left because he didn't want to cause Catherine the "grief" of being disinherited. Seemingly touched by Morris' "sincerity", Catherine agrees to elope with him immediately. But when Morris arrives at the appointed hour, he finds the door locked and bolted. Asked how she can treat Morris so cruelly, Catherine replies coldly "Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters." Though The Heiress ends on a downbeat note, the audience is gratified to know that Catherine Sloper has matured from ugly-duckling loser to a tower of strength who will never allow herself to be manipulated by anyone ever again. Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Genre: Drama
- Category Romantic Drama, Family Drama
- Theme: Romantic Betrayal, Out For Revenge, Class Differences, Fathers and Daughters, Social Climbing
- Studio: Universal Studios
- Run Time: 01 hr 56 min
- Language: English
- Subtitle Language: French
- Release Date: February 6, 2007
- Lead Actor: Ralph Richardson, Olivia de Havilland, Miriam Hopkins, Vanessa Brown, Montgomery Clift
- Supporting Actor: Paul Lees, Selena Royle, Betty Linley, Ray Collins, Mona Freeman, David Thursby, Russ Conway, Harry Antrim
- Director: William Wyler
awards
- Awards: Academy Awards (4), Golden Globe Awards (1)
- Winner: Academy Awards, Best Drama or Comedy Score, 1949, Aaron Copland
- Winner: Academy Awards, Best Actress, 1949, Olivia de Havilland
- Winner: Academy Awards, Best Black and White Art Direction, 1949, Harry Horner, Emile Kuri, John Meehan, John Meehan
- Winner: Academy Awards, Best Black and White Costume Design, 1949, Edith Head, Gile Steele
- Winner: Golden Globe Awards, Best Actress, 1949, Olivia de Havilland
- Nominations: Academy Awards (3), Golden Globe Awards (2)
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Director, 1949, William Wyler
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Director, 1949, William Wyler
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Ro, 1949, Miriam Hopkins
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Black and White Cinematography, 1949, Leo Tover
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor, 1949, Ralph Richardson
