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Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Crappy film

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

There's a certain type of woman who becomes instantly territorial when she joins a family, and any other woman better watch their step, even if it's a longtime friend or employee. This family saga starts in the early 1900's when Ingrid Bergman arrives as the new nanny and makes an instant impression on Warner Baxter, Fay Way and the four young boys who are instantly crazy about her. She's loyal, loving and gains their trust quickly. But happiness is only fleeting, and soon the widowed Baxter finds himself alone and in financial difficulties. The years go by and when the first world war begins, one of the boys returns with a wife (Susan Hayward) who is charming on the surface but calculating and self serving, seducing another brother out of boredom and making it clear to Bergman that she finds her presence in the household questionable. A dying relative (Helen Westley) sees right through Hayward and warns Bergman about her. Keeping secrets but remaining loyal, Bergman becomes like a dormant volcano,  holding everything as she gets more and more disgusted with the amoral and destructive Hayward. She even takes steps to protect her simply to prevent the family from completely falling apart.With young megastar Ingrid Bergman at the pinnacle of her youth and success, she was joined by a superstar yet to come, Susan Hayward, as evil here as Bergman is noble. Even though her smiles, you can feel the wheels of Hayward's calculating brain turning, and the signs of an acting powerhouse being born. Where Bergman is subtle, Hayward is explosive, yet there is truth in both of their performances, which makes Hayward all the scarier. "My duty is to protect the family", Bergman declares, and you know it's only a matter of time before Hayward is exposed. The men here are fairly non-descript, stunned by their own stupidity in trusting a pretty, innocent looking face. Baxter is authoritative, but barely reacts when he believes that Bergman and one of the sons (Richard Denning) have been involved, even though as one of the sons points out to him, he's been in love with Bergman for a long time.As the tragic wife, Fay Wray makes the most of her few scenes as she comes to totally confide in Bergman, treating her more like a sister than an employee. Her final scene is worthy of a box of Kleenex. But as the blood boils between Bergman and Hayward, you will be longing for a huge slap (or more) as Hayward's schemes come to light. She's a modern day Messalina, closer to the character Sheila White played in "I Claudius" than the version that Hayward played in "Demetrius and the Gladiators". I just wish that Baxter had been more strong and convincing, making him the one weak link in an otherwise enjoyable melodrama.

Gregory Ratoff directs this drama set in the early 1900's. Emilie Gallitan(Ingrid Bergman)is a French governess for the wealthy Stodddard family taking care of running the splendid mansion and caring for four boys. The stock market takes a dive wiping out Adam Stoddard's(Warner Baxter)riches. Leaving for France, Emilie is saddened leaving the boys(Robert Shaw, Richard Denning, Johnny Dowds and Charles Lind).As the economy improves, Emilie returns at the beginning of the great World War. The businessman's wife Molly(Fay Wray)has died and the governess realizes that the boys now have a greater need for her. And she herself finds in her heart of hearts...is falling in love with the master of the house. The four sons enter the military and a beautiful young bride-to-be, Hester(Susan Hayward), has come into the picture playing one son again another with a deceitful attempt to disrupt the family dynamic.Tremendous acting from Bergman and Hayward. Other players: Helen Westley, June Lockhart and Pietro Sosso.

I am a fan of this actress, more so than of Bergman, but Susan's acting was shall we say "Over the top"..It was early in her career so obviously she tried to make an impression by over acting. I later learned, some 20 minutes had been chopped from this women's picture...still what i saw and heard made no sense whatsoever. There was no plot really to speak of. What made her character act that way...? They were rich? She had no idea it would be the end of her by messing around with Jack, and then quickly for the third brother? She was a nut job, unbelievable. A bad performance. In a way, her character reminded me of Hedy Lamarr's character in "The Strange Woman", which she did pull it off as a possessive, manipulative B...h, but there was a plot involved at least. I later found out that Susan and Hedy were great friends. How does that saying go, "Birds of a feather, flock together"? LOL

Ingrid Bergman is hired as a governess for the Stoddard's. Warner Baxter plays the father of this family. The film journey's through the death of the mother, stock market crash and the marriage of one of the sons to a free spirited wife. Susan Hayward is very entertaining as bad girl Hester. Enjoyable face off between Bergman and Hayward.