Willful, independent-minded Katharine Hepburn (as Pamela Thistlwaite) grows up in Victorian England, alongside her pretty sister Elizabeth Allan (as Flora Thistlewaite). When stern father Donald Crisp (as Byron Thistlewaite) presents his young lasses to polite society, they quickly pair up and get pregnant. Ms. Hepburn makes it with young Van Heflin (as Gerald Waring), while Ms. Allan fetches dashing David Manners (as Alan Freeland).
Then, tragedy strikes their lives Most of the original cast is disposed with; in a storyline that seems, at times, to be presented "in code". Still, it's possible to discern what's going on, if you're paying attention. Basically, Hepburn is raising her sister's child as her own, due to Victorian-era sensibilities. Over the years, Hepburn grows into a successful feminist writer. Important cast members joining the "soap opera" are Herbert Marshall (as Thomas Lane) and Doris Dudley (as Flora "Floss" Junior). Hepburn's "dark secret" rears its ugly head, after a couple of decades.
It is most astonishing to see Ms. Dudley, playing Hepburn's daughter, look more like her mother, when they share the screen. How is it that nobody noticed? The production looks first class, at least. And, most of the acting is valiant; particularly effective is Mr. Heflin, in his film debut. But, the good story idea in "A Woman Rebels" is so poorly executed, it's a travesty.
*** A Woman Rebels (1936) Mark Sandrich ~ Katharine Hepburn, Herbert Marshall, Van Heflin
Then, tragedy strikes their lives Most of the original cast is disposed with; in a storyline that seems, at times, to be presented "in code". Still, it's possible to discern what's going on, if you're paying attention. Basically, Hepburn is raising her sister's child as her own, due to Victorian-era sensibilities. Over the years, Hepburn grows into a successful feminist writer. Important cast members joining the "soap opera" are Herbert Marshall (as Thomas Lane) and Doris Dudley (as Flora "Floss" Junior). Hepburn's "dark secret" rears its ugly head, after a couple of decades.
It is most astonishing to see Ms. Dudley, playing Hepburn's daughter, look more like her mother, when they share the screen. How is it that nobody noticed? The production looks first class, at least. And, most of the acting is valiant; particularly effective is Mr. Heflin, in his film debut. But, the good story idea in "A Woman Rebels" is so poorly executed, it's a travesty.
*** A Woman Rebels (1936) Mark Sandrich ~ Katharine Hepburn, Herbert Marshall, Van Heflin