Mourning Becomes Electra (1947): Cast & Plot
Mourning Becomes Electra is a 1947 drama directed by Dudley Nichols, starring Michael Redgrave as Orin Mannon, Raymond Massey and Henry Hull. It runs 2 hours 53 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 53m (173 min)
- Director
- Dudley Nichols
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Mourning Becomes Electra About?
The premise of Mourning Becomes Electra without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
At Mannon Manor, near the close of the Civil War, the proud family awaits the return of shipping magnate Ezra Mannon and his son Orin. Ezra’s scheming wife Christine and their daughter Lavinia both become entangled with a charismatic captain who hides a dark secret, while the earnest neighbor Peter also courts Lavinia. The mother‑daughter rivalry spirals into ruthless jealousy and murder.
Mourning Becomes Electra Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- new england
- poison
- marriage
- captain
- suicide
- writing
- wedding night
- wake
- union soldier
- u.s. soldier
- tragedy
- talking to a portrait
+38 more Show fewer
- suicide of mother
- suicide by gunshot
- stairway
- singing
- shooting
- shipping business
- scandal
- sailing ship
- reference to ulysses s. grant
- kiss
- incest
- dysfunctional marriage
- nagging wife
- female sexual predator
- femme fatale
- dominant woman
- manipulative woman
- middle aged woman
- small town gossip
- romantic rivalry
- mass confusion
- wife murders her husband
- based on a stage play
- burning an envelope
- russell and genn
- ship
- mayor
- infidelity
- baby
- american civil war
- witch
- wealth
- voice over narration
- unfaithfulness
- train
- tears
- talking to a painting
- suicide of brother
Mourning Becomes Electra Cast & Characters
Michael Redgrave leads the cast as Orin Mannon, with Raymond Massey as Ezra Mannon and Henry Hull as Seth Beckwith. Directed by Dudley Nichols; 24 actors are credited in all.
- Director Dudley Nichols
- Michael Redgrave as Orin Mannon
- Raymond Massey as Ezra Mannon
- Henry Hull as Seth Beckwith
- Rosalind Russell as Lavinia Mannon
Also Starring in Mourning Becomes Electra
· 20 more- Katina Paxinou Christine Mannon
- Leo Genn Adam Brant
- Kirk Douglas Peter Niles
- Nancy Coleman Hazel Niles
- Erskine Sanford Josiah Borden
- Thurston Hall Dr. Blake
- Colin Kenny Policeman (uncredited)
- Jimmy Conlin Abner Small
- Clem Bevans Ira Mackel
- Nora Cecil Louisa Ames
- Elisabeth Risdon Mrs. Hills
- Emma Dunn Mrs. Borden
- Walter Baldwin Amos Ames
- Broderick O'Farrell Station master (uncredited)
- Marie Blake Minnie Ames
- Robert Dudley Chemist (uncredited)
Show all 24 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Sara Allgood Landlady
- Tito Vuolo Joe Silva
- Marjorie Eaton Woman at home (uncredited)
- André Charlot Dr. Hamil (uncredited)
Mourning Becomes Electra Plot Summary
What happens in Mourning Becomes Electra from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The Civil War is ending. Seth Beckwith, Henry Hull, an old family servant, awaits the return of various members of the Mannon family—especially Ezra Mannon, Raymond Massey, the patriarch and a general in the Union Army. Seth shows neighbors around the house, and the women recall a 20-year-old scandal: Ezra’s brother, David Mannon, had to marry the French nurse who worked for their father, Abe. Abe banished the couple, destroyed the family home and built a new one “out of pure hate.”
In New York City, Lavinia Mannon, Rosalind Russell, follows her mother Christine Mannon, Katina Paxinou, to the residence of sea captain Adam Brant, Leo Genn, and is shocked to see them kiss. She remembers sharing a passionate kiss with Brant.
Full summary
The whole story of Mourning Becomes Electra, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Mourning Becomes Electra?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- 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
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the elderly family servant who awaits the Mannon family’s return?
Seen Mourning Becomes Electra?
Movies Like Mourning Becomes Electra
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Tears for Electra, Where Love Has Gone and The Strange Woman.
Mourning Becomes Electra FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Mourning Becomes Electra, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Mourning Becomes Electra?
Mourning Becomes Electra runs 2 hours 53 minutes (173 minutes).
When was Mourning Becomes Electra released?
Mourning Becomes Electra was released on November 19, 1947.
Who directed Mourning Becomes Electra?
Mourning Becomes Electra was directed by Dudley Nichols.
Who is in the cast of Mourning Becomes Electra?
Mourning Becomes Electra stars Michael Redgrave as Orin Mannon, Raymond Massey as Ezra Mannon and Henry Hull as Seth Beckwith, among 24 credited actors.
Does Mourning Becomes Electra have a post-credit scene?
No. Mourning Becomes Electra has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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