The Reluctant Widow - Georgette Heyer - full movie 1950

[@suzetteholl]

This movie is the reason Georgette Heyer refused to have any more of her books made into movies, even writing that stipulation into her will. Heyer obviously felt this movie did not do justice to her book nor honored it, as many here do. It's such a shame because Georgette Heyer's plots are so original and her dialogue so witty that her books would have made movies as good as Jane Austen's in the hands of the wonderful script writers and actors we have seen do justice to Jane Austen's books. Heyer's scripts would write themselves because the sparkling wit and clever double-speak is already done.

[@sueb3747]

i love georgette heyer and have just read Fridays child and started Sylvester,

[@gemstonesparkle7915]

About this prohibition, how long does it takes? Would it be possible to make films after a certain amount of decades? Like public domain I mean…

[@dicostigan1449]

Can't bear to watch any more - very Mittel Europe, although subsidised by British tax payer. Guess everyone was too war weary to complain or realised that it was no longer their Britain & pitted against the uber wealthy of another race were powerless.

[@Brembelia]

@Gemstone Sparkle I don't see it happening from American filmmakers who prefer empty action films and other mindless endeavors. Only the British could do justice to such well thought-out stories. But getting anyone to finance anything other than the rubbish being consumed these days would be a hercukean accomplishment. Quality is not even a consideration anymore.

[@jonilougy6608]

Mindless indeed.

[@beinspired1487]

My grandmother introduced me to Georgette Hayer when I was a young teen, and I still love reading her books ever since.

[@megrector5638]

Same, except with me it was my mother's best friend (our families later became connected by marriage). She had almost a full collection, and I had permission to use her house like a library, any time I wanted. She left me the books in her will.

[@beinspired1487]

@@megrector5638 That was very kind of her.

[@rachelgale6590]

I have no comment on the quality of the production or adaptation - rather I wish to pay homage to how quickly Lord Curlew manages to get his horses saddled and brought round to the front of the house.... Within 3 minutes of ringing the bell - that is service with speed indeed 😉

[@Ddax-td7qy]

I know! But it's "Carlyon," isn't it?

[@nancycrayton2738]

Thank you! I am a fan of Georgette Heyer. No one else is like her. She knew history. So her writing did not 'break rules'.

[@shahmanz]

I like her, ... A lot.

[@SarinaSeffer]

Too stup1d comment.

[@ifluvinguiswrong]

Wow. Georgette Heyer has always been my favorite Victorian era author. I never knew until now that any movies were made based on her novels. Can't wait to watch this! ❤

[@shahmanz]

The storyline, dialogue, and characters are so different from the book

[@Ddax-td7qy]

She's fabulous, but started writing in the late 1930's; way not "Victorian!" She was, however, a major scholar of the "Regency" period, roughly first quarter of 1800's. In my opinion, her fictional novel centered on the Battle of Waterloo, June 1815, titled "An Infamous Army," (title a quote of Wellington) is the most brilliant "bringing to life" of a historic event in fiction ever.

[@miladydewinter7770]

I read "These Old Shades" when I was a teenager --- I have been hooked on Georgette Heyer ever since. Thank you so much for posting this !

[@christinemillership1189]

I haven’t seen this since I was a child! A treat of an old black and white film. At that time I’d never heard of Georgette Heyer so I wasn’t encumbered with comparing it to the book, but now I know that reading a book by an excellent author will always be better than watching the film: books allow you to imagine the characters and certainly you employ more imagination that few directors can live up to. Take this for what it was years when it was made so many ago and don’t compare to modern films. Lovely!

[@ldavies3280]

You make a good point. But my mum was a great Georgette Heyer fan and movie-goer, and the 1950s were her era. She told me never to bother with this film as it was terrible and an insult to Heyer. Her friends of the time agreed with her. So I think that by the standards of the time, it wasn’t any great shakes either.

[@CareelBay]

I agree with you Christine. The book & this film are 2 entirely different things and I find treating them as such means I can enjoy this film on its own. I love it - dodgy acting & all!

[@Rose-jz6ix]

Even in modern times I like to see the film before reading the book.

[@lougreulich4312]

Having recently reread the book, it was painfully obvious the screenplay diverged wildly from the book. However, I still enjoyed the movie. Thanks for making it available.

[@marypatten9655]

Enjoyed this movie very much. Thank you for sharing it. God bless

[@szendrich]

Wow! Thank you for posting this. I'm a big Georgette Heyer fan and myself a historical fiction author. I never even knew any films were made from her works. What a gem. Thanks.

[@Chiara-xb3ov]

I love Heyer's books, tomorrow (damn it's already 6 am) I have an exam, but as soon as I saw this video I had to escape from my anxiety for an hour and I watched it, knowing very well that there would be inaccuracies. I have to confess not so reluctantly that I had so much fun! I loved the ML, he was so handsome, handsome in a different way from today's canon😍😍 but the FL was everything, I loved her acting, at a time I thought "omg she so cute" and at another time "omg what a goddess". I am grateful to have found this , and of course grateful to the uploader. There is a magic to me in these black and white movies that let me unsee every other flaws 💖

[@Kybeline]

Wish you good luck with your exam! I did the same with some exams and I won. I hope you get the same luck!

[@deannaadkins9212]

L I'm

[@07regia]

Love that opening, the satire on Jane Eyre, and suddenly the whole thing turns upside down. From there on it's hold on to your Regency bonnet.

[@ARue-tru]

Actor, Guy Rolfe is charismatic, tall, attractive, a good actor.

[@alonys]

Maybe this is why it is rare that she agreed to make a movie version of her books. But I love the male lead. Wonderful build. And the rest is fun. Thanks a lot for the upload.

[@robertd.carver6240]

Action-packed melodrama of Regency England during the Napoleonic Wars. There's a bit of everything--espionage, romance, comedy, intrigue--convincingly well-acted!

[@bizzybee852]

Thank you for a wonderful old movie.

[@imochiexe5056]

Thank you for sharing this with us! 😊

[@marisaelenenadiejamusiccom3974]

This movie was ridiculously aesthetic and beautiful. I do love the narrative and all the characters is a wonderful movie. Thank you for sharing! 🌹

[@b.b.finsclara3589]

I loooved it!!! Thanks!

[@HiWayLady49]

I have read a few comments that display disappointment at how unlike the book this movie is. Then there are those comments that say we should accept it as it is. Forget how disappointed fans of the book might be. smh I understand there is another GH movie, that is equally disappointing. The thing here is not just the unhappy readers and fans to Georgette Heyer. Miss Heyer herself was so disappointed, that she wrote in her Will that rights to her books were not to be sold ever again, thus neither she nor her readers would ever be disappointed again. It must be noted here, that certain other authors have refused to allow their wonderful stories to be brought to the big screen as they fear the same perversions of their own works. And I truly do not blame them. Yes, sometimes the movies are actually good, though they stray from the original book. In which case, the title should be changed and listed as 'Based on ....'. JS. The video seems okay, but I shall leave it to others who enjoy, and return to the written word.

[@brittah.2127]

Wonderful, thank you for uploading. ❤ My mother collected the German translations of Heyer's Regency and Crime novels and I regularly reread my favourite novels.

[@hammadoolass]

I love Georgette Heyer so to see one of her novels made into a movie is GREAT !!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR THE UPLOAD Kybeline x The fact that it wasn't true to the book made no difference to me --- I LOVED IT.

[@Kybeline]

Thank you, for your nice comment. About the Greek subtitles, there is nothing to do about it. It was the only copy I could buy.

[@davidbrammiguel3766]

Hello there How are you doing

[@bentleyrigg9278]

Superb awesome can use many more words to describe this movie but I am just going to say I enjoyed this movie a lot the actors were on target kept me smiling and laughing that girl held her ground and I'm saying a big Thank You

[@90FF1]

a.k.a. The Inheritance. Good fun. Jean Kent🥰. Thank for posting.

[@l.l.2463]

Thank you for making this available. I'm a tremendous Heyer fan. and also love old B&W movies. While this had very little resemblance to the book (a widow in mourning in STRIPES??? Good heavens!) I think it would have been harder to follow the plot without having read the book first. I must say some of it was surprisingly "skin crawly" for '50's fare.

[@berylbattrick1246]

thank you for this gem of a movie. i am so glad you showed it, it was excellent.

[@Kybeline]

I'm glad you've enjoyed it :)

[@erikao9189]

What a hat on her at 45:45! So outlandish! I love it! 😂❤

[@chrismcpherson1586]

Watching Watching here in Pennsylvania USA 🇺🇸 ❤ i love classic movie's ❤ this is a perfect movie to watch ❤

[@amandajane8227]

I loved the way the sword fight looked real unlike the highly choreographed moves todays movies have.

[@donnaeturner]

This was wonderful. Thanks.

[@heatherbowlan1961]

Thank yo for sharing this wonderful Gem !

[@bigd4746]

Thanks for uploading. I enjoyed the movie. The only thing that bothered me was Jean Kent’s hairdo. It didn’t seem right for the period.

[@Brembelia]

Excellent movie. Spoiler alert: Scoundrels abound, lady in distress, a bag of gold, French frocks, secret passages, political intrigue, a clock and mysterious note (where is Nancy Drew?), This movie has it all. Thanks for sharing. 😃

[@faithworks217]

Smugglers, quickie marriages (must have been some special licenses involved), a sword fight, struggle with a dagger, a dilapidated mansion getting smashed up some more. That gel certainly had an interesting fortnight.

[@evetko]

What an adventure! Cleverly done.

[@Tawadeb]

The book is so good.

[@janemacdonald3732]

The film is utter tripe. Even Georgette Heyer thought so, she was so upset by this mangled adaptation that now non of her wonderful books can be filmed or televised ever😔😔😔

[@rwolfson1935]

Charming costume romance, true to the book or not. Thank you!

[@heatherbowlan1961]

This was a great drama a little twist of everything in it ! Thank you for posting this gem 💎🙏❤️🇨🇦

[@Kybeline]

You're wellcome

[@janineassad6120]

I Found this delightful and considering this was made in 1950 the characters were wonderfully played

[@Kybeline]

Thank you for your friendly words

[@junehargraves1979]

This movie is a travesty of Georgette heyer's book. Read the book. You'll live it.

[@catcameron2495]

Thanks for uploading. It's too bad more of Georgette Heyer's books aren't made into movies; but, then again, maybe not, after some of what Jane Austen's been haunted by.

[@yomama8873]

Thank you 🤩🤩🤩💖💖

[@aadamtx]

Wonderfully absurd and lots of fun! Jean Kent is great, with more spunk than you usually see in a period heroine.

[@coloraturaElise]

This bears so little resemblance to Heyer's book, it could make people not want to read her. I guarantee the book is far superior to what is being shown here.

[@Kybeline]

Indeed! I fully agree with you. The filmstudios of those days had their own rules and they had to stick to the budget as well. Besides the cinema in those days had very rudimental thechnical means, and people who went to the movies wanted to see action, as it was something new - chasing, shooting, duelling with spades, love scenes and the like. Standard fun was when 10 people chased each other or the cake fight or the like. They spoiled "Pride and Prejudice" as well. From the Laurence Olivier+Greer Garson movie in 1940 I only like the opening scene in the milliner's shop at the beginning. They made so many literature movies in those days, but actually the best movies are those which they did for their own sake, not for literature. The literature movies started to get better in the 50-70s, I would say. Like that magnificent El Cid with Sophia Loren and Charlton Heston Or the Moby Dick with Gregory Peck, never to be paralleled of any later Moby Dick movies! The Hornblower film of Gregory Peck is also highest quality!

[@musicae4531]

totally agree - Georgette is the best !

[@carolabohm2439]

@@musicae4531 heyer continues to reign supreme. And she has a subtle humour.

[@maryelizabethengleman9763]

The scriptwriters went for over the top melodrama and lost all the fun and wit of the original book. I understand things have to be adapted for cost and screen time, but this would have been so much better if they'd stuck to the plot of the book and kept the heroine's common sense and dry sense of humor, and the morals of the time instead of some weird Victorian pseudo Gothic vibe. Fine as a Saturday morning movie, but it's not The Reluctant Widow by any means.

[@miladydewinter7770]

Jean Kent was an absolute stunner

[@JD-bn2ch]

I love Georgette Heyer's novels so very much, even more so than Jane Austen's. Her books really sparkle with Regency depth, wit and historical accuracy and I have read all of her novels since I was a teenager and never tire of them and constantly return to them time and again. This film adaptation, although fun, does not really compare to the actual brilliance of Georgette's novels, which are far superior in every way to any filmaker's attempt at capturing Regency England! Georgette is in a class of her own in this regard!

[@lindsaycooper9400]

This movie does not signify. Not a patch on the witty dialogue and exquisite characterisation which are the hallmarks of GH's sublime works. Currently reading Lady of Quality.

[@kathleenanderson1499]

I loved this movie full of suspense thanks for sharing ❤👍⭐

[@rubymukherjee124]

I hear Stephen fry is directing the grand sophy so looking forward to it as this was no wonder the reason Georgette heyer said no to adapting her books to movies.

[@mrsc120]

I hope that is true as he is a devotee of Heyer and will do as good a job as anyone can. Though, I suspect it will disappoint as adaptations of beloved books mostly do.

[@timeforalex]

I love this treasure!!!

[@madiantin]

Thank you for uploading. I had no idea someone had made film from a Georgette Heyer book. Oh dear, it was quite bad, wasn't it? =D

[@advocate1563]

Too true

[@calliesma1]

I loved it. We must watch these movies in the spirit of the time. Such fun!

[@voyager2saturn525]

Love from guwahati

[@daftirishmarej1827]

We're so spoilt by today's special effects that that's all we look for. I've read, and love the book, but I'm willing to give it a try. Subtitles can be enjoyed by those who need them and ignored by those who don't!

[@suzieb8366]

Shame there doesnt seem to be an upload without those subtitles :o(

[@Kybeline]

probably there is no other version to have survived so many decades. I was happy to get such a version after having searched over many years. There's an Austrian movie to Heyer's Arabelle here on youtube, but it's not the hit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpOke6OvqLFnhJY You might decide for yourself

[@TullyEDMVibe]

Why are the subtitles in Greek? Cool old movies.

[@shahmanz]

This movie cheapens Elinor's character, and Carlyon's as well. The story is changed from a graceful and dignified one to a cheap hotchpotch. . Shame.

[@ronyagpd]

A 1950s destruction of a book akin to what Netflix now does to Austen! Dreadful!

[@mountainmermaid8]

Very different from the book.

[@mountainmermaid8]

It's entertaining but it's not Heyer.

[@Kidraver555]

Thanks for not slapping an ego logo over a good print.

[@feanorian21maglor38]

No wonder Georgette Heyer refused any further film adaptations of her work. What a nasty, cheapening version with none of the fun, wit, historical accuracy and light touch of the book

[@christelbolland7885]

😢

[@carolehart1714]

You should read the book, it's brilliant & more exciting than the film.😊

[@rachelsteele7699]

Can’t get rid of those subtitles

[@robincoulter581]

Wow, sword snapped in half

[@maggiesmith856]

I would not think steel could be snapped so easily.

[@ginalim3899]

That amazed me too.

[@caroleceres]

I’ve literally just watched the first 4 minutes and just a few simple inconsistencies makes me unwilling to watch more! I also am not keen on the subtitles, so may search for another listing without subtitles. But. The door shouldn’t have been opened by a woman, it never would have been and it certainly wasn’t in the book. And Carlton waited for her to be shown into the room, he didn’t go to the drawing room door. These are simple things, so if the Director couldn’t be bothered to do those simple things as per the book, how much is compromised? Of course, that only matters to Heyerites like myself.

[@susannasharrock9253]

I would have to agree with you there. The director didn't get the manners and ediquett correct on that point

[@hammadoolass]

Get a life Carole

[@keithharvey7230]

Thank you,precious.

[@marshaprice8226]

All those discrepancies right at the beginning mattered to me, too. I just couldn't watch any more!

[@caroleceres]

jo egleton I have a life. It’s different to yours, inconsistencies matter to me if you’re making an adaptation of a book. It actually makes a difference to the story. At least it does in the book.

[@njerimatenjwa5467]

This movie bears no similarity to Miss Heyer's book "The Reluctant Widow". It is a great disappointment😖😫.

[@johnbunyan5834]

There was Andrew Cruickshank , just before appearing in Dr Finlay's Casebook; and the very pretty Lana Morris, who could have been my companion, any time. I've never read a Georgette Heyer's book {weren't they intended for the ladies to read ? }, but I might seek out an audiobook version, because of earlier comments , here.

[@keithharvey7230]

El Cid.Andrew had a good scrap with Charlton Heston.

[@patchadams4me]

Sound too low.

[@unasperanza9803]

I think they should have tried to do one of her detective novel first. THey would make easier movie or tv series.

[@yomama8873]

🤩🤩🤩💖💖

[@livethink1625]

A fateful mistake... Stepping into the wrong carriage at a Sussex village, Elinor Rochdale is swept up in a thrilling and dangerous adventure. Elinor is rather surprised that her prospective employer is quite rich, and more so at the decayed grandeur of the house to which she is transported. Elinor thought she was entering Highnoons as a governess, but Edward Carlyon, the handsomely fashionable gentleman who carefully interviewed her, obviously needed no governess. Carlyon was seeking a wife-not for himself, but for his young cousin, Eustace Cheviot, the dissipated and profligate owner of the ruined estate, who now lay on his deathbed. Surprised and repulsed as she was by this strange proposal, Elinor was nevertheless unable to resist Carlyon and his mystifying plans. Ned persuades Elinor to marry his cousin as a simple business arrangement. - goodreads

[@MitziJaxon]

How do I remove this distracting foreign language?

[@avidreader1527]

everyone has more hair than the leading lady,including the men.

[@LoneStranger0]

I turned this off as soon as the Greek (?) subtitles appeared on the screen!!!!!!

[@flossyflue4305]

Oh I’m not watching this the rolling text on screen again which is garbled.

[@sirenasea]

It’s Greek

[@keithharvey7230]

Why shouldn't the characters be wonderfully played?What's the year got to do with it?

[@miladydewinter7770]

Georgette Heyer ---- Victoria Holt/Phillipa Carr/Jean Plaidy ---- Barbara Cartland ........ all wonderfully romantic historical novels. Thank God for books !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@arlenegage9873]

I listened to the book version last week. The film was ok, not at all as interesting as the book, but still nice.

[@keithharvey7230]

What happened to the woman she was mistaken for?

[@juliapaterson2044]

She never turned up to take the position….probably got cold feet.

[@maryowen1722]

I never even heard of her!😬

[@shahmanz]

You are missing out my friend

[@MelodieNeal]

This is utter trash and everyone involved in the production of this pathetic nonsense should be deeply ashamed (though most of them are probably dead at this point, and beyond the contempt that they so richly deserve). I have always wondered why Georgette Heyer's novels have never been been turned into films, and this monstrosity clearly explains why. Such a loss.

[@LeRoi715]

I wish the volume was higher as it is difficult to enjoy it; and the captions in Greek? the thumb down....sorry !

[@Abijah12411]

I gave this my usual 20 minutes to see if it's worth viewing. . . . didn't grab my attention...yawn....zzzzz

[@shahmanz]

Good night

[@grahamelsden8973]

Beautiful camera work ruined by subtitles,unwatchable..

[@victoriareil2782]

A disappointing lack of ill-behaved dogs!

[@taraberry691]

Anyone else think she looks a bit like Tony Curtis in ‘Some Like it Hot’?!

[@deborah85728]

You have a point , she did look a bit like a man in drag

[@sjr7822]

Wooden acting, in fact horrible, life is too short, skimmed through to get to the end

[@DrMV-w9x]

I always use to think why georgette heyer books are not into movies or serials but now I know, .yes the reluctant widow is very badly made that, s why she refused but should not have written it in her will

[@flossyflue4305]

Oh I’m sorry it’s a foreign language which is good for some of us.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

They killed wrong guy, this would have been much betrer movie with villain playing the lead, who is DULL as cast.

[@lifeforceunlimited27]

Odd to believe that Jean Kent was Thora Hird's daughter!

[@lindsaycooper9400]

She wasn't. That was the beautiful Janette Scott.

[@grahamjones1269]

It's all Greek to me.

[@amarreder6241]

Rate 5.6 Drama History

[@winonamassingill7895]

The translation running across the screen 📺 is very distracting to me. 😡😡😡

[@spudspuddy]

i didn't know it was a comedy, the actress in this thinks it is

[@janemacdonald3732]

Late 1930s trashy ideas of the Regency period drama. More ham than a pig farm

[@lynnpritchard443]

Oh dear What a mangled dreadful version of the story The Reluctant Widow Awful

[@TheMoonflwr671]

Get rid of stupid foreign subtitles obscuring movie.

[@davidbrammiguel3766]

Hello there How are you doing

[@MohamedB614]

Nice movie

[@FranOnTheEdge]

This is NOT the real story of "The Reluctant Widow" by the incomparable Georgette Heyer. It's a load of rubbish. Very disappointing.

[@erikao9189]

The spy/poet guy was a much better looking guy than the one she loves.

[@shahmanz]

Love is blind??

[@alessandrachou-oneesama4658]

WHY? ç__ç It's horrible!

[@philodowd8080]

Dreadful