The Constant Nymph (1943 film)
| The Constant Nymph | |
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1943 film
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| Directed by | Edmund Goulding |
| Produced by |
Henry Blanke Hal B. Wallis |
| Written by |
Margaret Kennedy (novel and play) Basil Dean (play) Kathryn Scola |
| Starring |
Joan Fontaine Charles Boyer Alexis Smith |
| Music by | Erich Wolfgang Korngold |
| Cinematography | Tony Gaudio |
| Edited by | David Weisbart |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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112 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.9 million (US rentals) |
The Constant Nymph is a 1943 romantic drama film starring Charles Boyer, Joan Fontaine, Alexis Smith, Brenda Marshall, Charles Coburn, May Whitty, and Peter Lorre. It was adapted by Kathryn Scola from the Margaret Kennedy novel and play by Kennedy and Basil Dean, and directed by Edmund Goulding.
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 for Charles Creight (Charles Coburn), Sanger's wealthy friend. Lewis is inspired by the girls to write some of the first heart-felt music he's composed in years. Kate leaves for school, and Toni marries. Lewis falls in love with Creighton's beautiful, grown daughter, Florenc (Alexis Smith). Tessa and Paula are sent to boarding school. 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 hom 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.
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