Directed by Anatole Litvak, All This and Heaven Too is a romantic drama film released in the year 1940. The film stars Bette Davis and Charles Boyer among the lead characters. The Screenplay of the film is adapted by the novel of the same name written by Rachel Field. The film was nominated for 3 Oscar Awards.
The film, All This and Heaven Too is a story of a French nobleman, who falls in love with his childrens governess. Bette Davis plays the role of the beautiful governess, Henriette Deluzy, who is employed by Duc de Praslin (Charles Boyer) to teach and educate his children. Praslin is heartbroken as he unhappy with the obsessive attitude of his wife. Whoever comes close to Praslin, falls victim to the anger and arrogance of his wife.
In the film, All This and Heaven Too, Davis is characterized as a very innocent and generous governess, who takes good care of Praslins children. She even saves the duchess little son from a near-death. Duc gets very attracted to her and they both fall in love. Duchess becomes aware of this and dismisses Deluzy from the job. Both husband and wife are engaged in a heated argument before the next morning, when the duchess is found dead. Duc also takes poison and dies. Deluzy is left with no other option but to escape in order to save her dignity.
All This and Heaven Too was released on 4th July 1940, in USA. The film was nominated for 3 Academy Awards in the categories of Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress and Best Cinematography. The films other cast includes Barbara ONeil, Jeffrey Lynn, Harry Davenport and many more. The film is a true story of one of Frances most famous crimes, which was one among several causes of the Kings abdication that year.
The novel on which the film All This and Heaven Too is based was the first book to score number one bestseller after Gone with the Wind. The author of the novel, Rachel Field is believed to be the relative of Henriette Deluzy and her husband. The cinematography of the film was done by Ernest Haller, who won an Oscar nomination. The music of the film was scored by Max Steiner.
The film, All This and Heaven Too was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie however met with an average box office success. The role of Bette Davis and Barbara ONeil received quite an audience applaud and appreciation. The movie title proved to be an inspiration for the 1941, film, All This and Rabbit Stew.
All This and Heaven Too
