'The Constant Nymph', first presented as a stage play, has been filmed three times. In 1928 it was filmed by Gainsborough Pictures in England with matinée idol Ivor Novello as composer Lewis Dodd and Mabel Poulton, once one of the biggest players on the silent screen, as Tessa Sanger, the schoolgirl with whom Lewis becomes infatuated.
It is to the credit of the writers and Novello and Poulton that this particular love story does not appear unsavoury, given the age gap between the principals. Dodd is something of a comic part for Novello in the first half of the film, as he deals with Sanger family he is visiting with amusement (especially the blousy wife of Sanger who can't wait to depart the house taking as much as she can get). Later in the film his dramatic style comes to the fore - never the world's greatest actor, Novello is still a pleasant presence on the screen and easy to watch.
Partly filmed in Austria and partly in London's Queen's Hall (the concert hall which was bombed in the war), 'The Constant Nymph' looks great and has lots of atmosphere. There are supporting players a plenty who are well worth watching (including Benita Hume, Frances Doble, JH Roberts, Mary Clare and Elsa Lanchester. We watch with amusement as Lewis Dodd is ensnared by a society lady who wants to further his career - much against his wishes. We laugh along with the mischief making Sanger sisters, and commiserate with the crusty Cambridge professor. We watch the awkward courtship between Toni and Ike, and wonder when Tessa's love for Lewis will be reciprocated.
Finally, due to the lightness of what's gone before, we are shocked and moved by the ending, which should not be unexpected, but which is beautifully played out. A gem of a film.
It is to the credit of the writers and Novello and Poulton that this particular love story does not appear unsavoury, given the age gap between the principals. Dodd is something of a comic part for Novello in the first half of the film, as he deals with Sanger family he is visiting with amusement (especially the blousy wife of Sanger who can't wait to depart the house taking as much as she can get). Later in the film his dramatic style comes to the fore - never the world's greatest actor, Novello is still a pleasant presence on the screen and easy to watch.
Partly filmed in Austria and partly in London's Queen's Hall (the concert hall which was bombed in the war), 'The Constant Nymph' looks great and has lots of atmosphere. There are supporting players a plenty who are well worth watching (including Benita Hume, Frances Doble, JH Roberts, Mary Clare and Elsa Lanchester. We watch with amusement as Lewis Dodd is ensnared by a society lady who wants to further his career - much against his wishes. We laugh along with the mischief making Sanger sisters, and commiserate with the crusty Cambridge professor. We watch the awkward courtship between Toni and Ike, and wonder when Tessa's love for Lewis will be reciprocated.
Finally, due to the lightness of what's gone before, we are shocked and moved by the ending, which should not be unexpected, but which is beautifully played out. A gem of a film.