Lydia (1941): Cast & Plot
Lydia is a 1941 romantic drama directed by Julien Duvivier, starring Merle Oberon as Lydia MacMillan, Edna May Oliver and Joseph Cotten. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Julien Duvivier
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Alexander Korda Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Lydia About?
The premise of Lydia without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Lydia MacMillan, a wealthy, never‑married woman, gathers a group of former suitors of her own age at her estate to recount the days when they courted her. Each memory appears in retrospect as a glorious, destined romance, yet Lydia discovers that each ended far from the ideal, exposing the stark, ill‑starred truth behind the nostalgia.
Lydia Themes & Keywords
· 22 tags- romantic rivalry
- character name as title
- forename as title
- one word title
- remake by original director
- radio news
- orphanage
- ballroom
- dancing
- waltz
- flashback
- told in flashback
+10 more Show fewer
- blind boy
- concerto
- friend
- married
- love
- reunion
- old flame
- male female relationship
- family relationships
- title spoken by character
Lydia Cast & Characters
Merle Oberon leads the cast as Lydia MacMillan, with Edna May Oliver as Sarah MacMillan and Joseph Cotten as Michael Fitzpatrick. Directed by Julien Duvivier; 34 actors are credited in all.
- Director Julien Duvivier
- Merle Oberon as Lydia MacMillan
-
Edna May Oliver as Sarah MacMillan -
Joseph Cotten as Michael Fitzpatrick -
John Halliday as Fitzpatrick
Also Starring in Lydia
· 30 more- George Reeves Bob Willard
- Hans Járay Frank Andre
- Alan Marshal Richard Mason
- Oscar O'Shea Doctor Richards
- Helene Stanley Orphan (uncredited)
- Pierre Watkin Speaker
- Harry Cording Hotel House Detective
- Florence Wix Sarah's Guest
- Edwin Stanley Dignitary on Podium
- Hal K. Dawson Hotel Desk Clerk
- Billy Ray Johnny
- Herbert Rawlinson Dignitary on Podium
- Jack Deery Ball Guest
- Bobby Hale Bar Patron
- Jesse Graves Michael's Servant
- Payne B. Johnson Blind Boy
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Sara Allgood Mary
- Paul Everton Sarah's Guest
- Tyler Brooke Vaudeville Singer
- Frank Conlan Old Ned
- Betta St. John Blind Girl
- Jack W. Johnston Ball Guest
- Gertrude Hoffmann Mrs. Fairfield
- Bobby Larson Blind Orphan
- Evelyn Beresford Sarah's Guest
- William Roy Johnny
- Frank Ward Orphan
- Eva Lee Kuney Blind Girl
- Patsy Irish Orphan
- Patricia Windrow Bit Part
More from Julien Duvivier
More films directed by Julien Duvivier: Pépé le Moko (re-release), Diabolically Yours, Highway Pick-Up and The Devil and the Ten Commandments.
Lydia Plot Summary
What happens in Lydia from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lydia MacMillan, Merle Oberon, hosts a reception celebrating her decades of charity work with blind and orphaned children. Among the guests is an old acquaintance, Michael Fitzpatrick, Joseph Cotten, a physician who has long carried a quiet, unrequited love for her. Also present are Bob Willard, [George Reeves](/actor/george-reeves, a former football star she once knew, and the pianist Frank Audrey, who has a special place in Lydia’s heart through the children she has mentored. Lydia, now a spinster who has built a life around her school, begins to reflect on the lives she touched and the men who shaped her youth.
Full summary
The whole story of Lydia, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Lydia?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which actress portrays Lydia MacMillan?
Lydia Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Ein Frauenherz vergißt nie” and “莉迪亚”.
- Also known as
-
- Ein Frauenherz vergißt nie
- 莉迪亚
- Лидия
Seen Lydia?
Movies Like Lydia
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Married and in Love, Millie and Interlude.
Lydia FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Lydia, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Lydia?
Lydia runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was Lydia released?
Lydia was released on September 18, 1941.
Who directed Lydia?
Lydia was directed by Julien Duvivier.
More films by Julien Duvivier Who is in the cast of Lydia?
Lydia stars Merle Oberon as Lydia MacMillan, Edna May Oliver as Sarah MacMillan and Joseph Cotten as Michael Fitzpatrick, among 34 credited actors.
Does Lydia have a post-credit scene?
No. Lydia has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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