INGRID BERGMAN plays a sensible, warm-hearted governess who has feelings for the head of the household, WARNER BAXTER. His four sons are shown first as boys, and then with the passage of time, as adults facing service in WWI.
SUSAN HAYWARD is the bored and flirtatious wife of the youngest son, who can't resist throwing herself at the others when the mood hits her. She does her standard Hayward bit as an amoral and feisty creature who drinks hard and plays around. By contrast, Bergman is sweet and refined, and not above saving a bad situation if it will spare any embarrassment for Baxter. Her nobility is a bit unbelievable in one key sequence where she keeps Hayward's behavior a secret from Baxter.
Of the sons, only RICHARD DENNING really stands out in his scenes with Hayward. Likewise, Bergman has her best moments in confrontational scenes with Hayward.
But despite some good ingredients for domestic drama, the film seems to have been hurt by some bad editing and comes across as bland rather than compelling.
Worth watching to catch Hayward in one of her first showy roles.
SUSAN HAYWARD is the bored and flirtatious wife of the youngest son, who can't resist throwing herself at the others when the mood hits her. She does her standard Hayward bit as an amoral and feisty creature who drinks hard and plays around. By contrast, Bergman is sweet and refined, and not above saving a bad situation if it will spare any embarrassment for Baxter. Her nobility is a bit unbelievable in one key sequence where she keeps Hayward's behavior a secret from Baxter.
Of the sons, only RICHARD DENNING really stands out in his scenes with Hayward. Likewise, Bergman has her best moments in confrontational scenes with Hayward.
But despite some good ingredients for domestic drama, the film seems to have been hurt by some bad editing and comes across as bland rather than compelling.
Worth watching to catch Hayward in one of her first showy roles.