Film of the Week: All This, and Heaven Too

While 1939 is considered the greatest year in film history, 1940 offered some outstanding films as well. One of the biggest productions of 1940 was the Bette Davis vehicle, All This, and Heaven Too.


Directed by the great Anatole Litvak, the film also starred Charles Boyer and Barbara O’Neil. Miss O’Neil is best known as Mrs. Gerald O’Hara from Gone with the Wind. Set in France in 1847, the film centers on Davis’ character, Henriette Deluzy-Desportes, a young governess who arrives at the palatial home of the Duc de Praslin (Boyer) and his over-emotional wife (O’Neil). The governess’ easy way with the children charms the Duc thereby enraging the jealousy of the Duchesse. As the Duc and Henriette fall in love, the Duchesse manipulates those around her to create a surprising plot twist.

Originally planned to be filmed in Technicolor, the picture features enormous, grand sets, gorgeous costumes, masterful writing and top-notch performances. Bette Davis is at her best in one of her rare good-girl roles while O’Neil is riveting as the increasingly insane Duchesse (a performance which earned her a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination). Definitely a must-see, All This, and Heaven Too is the perfect film to watch as you get your creative juices flowing.