The Constant Nymph (1943 film)

Plot

Lewis Dodd (Charles Boyer) is a composer whose symphony flops in London. Seeking new inspiration, and to escape his critics, he travels to Switzerland to stay at the home of older friend Albert Sanger (Montagu Love). Sanger's four young daughters—Kate (Jean Muir), Toni (Brenda Marshall), Tessa (Joan Fontaine) and Paula (Joyce Reynolds)—have been raised in relative isolation, and swiftly develop crushes on Lewis. The elderly Sanger dies, and per his instructions, Lewis sends to England for Charles Creighton (Charles Coburn), Sanger's wealthy friend, and his daughter, Florence (Alexis Smith). Lewis is inspired by the girls to write some of the first heart-felt music he's composed in years. Kate leaves for school, Toni marries, and Lewis falls in love with Florence. Lewis then quickly asks Florence to marry him, breaking the heart of Tessa, who has been secretly in love with him for a long time. Tessa and Paula are sent to boarding school, while Lewis and Florence marry and move to London, but ambitious Florence angers Lewis by trying to push his career too hard. Tessa (who has a bad heart) and Paula run away from school to the Dodd house. Lewis is inspired by Tessa to write beautiful music again, and Florence realizes Lewis is falling for the teenage girl. Florence bitterly confronts Tessa. Lewis' inspired symphony is performed to great acclaim, and during the performance Lewis rushes home and asks Tessa to marry him. Tessa refuses, as he's already married. Returning to the theater, Florence tells Lewis she will divorce him, as it is clear that Tessa is not only his great muse but also his true love. Lewis rushes home to tell Tessa, but finds her dead—the conflict with Florence having been too much for her.

Reception

Fontaine was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, but lost to Jennifer Jones's performance in The Song of Bernadette.

Availability

The will of Margaret Kennedy stated that the film could be shown only at universities and museums after its original theatrical run ended. As a result, the film was unavailable for exhibition for nearly seventy years. The film received its first authorized public screening in decades as part of the 2011 Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival.

Edmund Goulding's biographer Matthew Kennedy wrote that Joan Fontaine spoke "rapturously" of The Constant Nymph. "She was nominated for a best actress Oscar for it," he stated, "and it remains a personal favorite of hers."

The film was released on DVD under the Warner Archive Collection label on 22 November 2011.

Radio adaptation

The Constant Nymph was presented on Hollywood Players December 17, 1946. Fontaine reprised her role from the film.