Hearts Divided (1936)

70 mins | Drama | 20 June 1936

Director:

Frank Borzage

Cinematographer:

George Folsey

Editor:

William Holmes

Production Designer:

Robert Haas

Production Company:

First National Productions Corp.
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HISTORY

Rida Johnson Young's play was based on the actual marriage between Napoleon's brother and Elizabeth Patterson in 1803. The marriage produced one son and was annulled by Napoleon's order in 1805. Jerome Bonaparte then married Princess Catherine of Wurtemberg and was made King of Westphalia. Eighteen minutes were cut from the film between its Hollywood preview and the New York opening. Modern sources add the following information: Dick Powell was cast on Marion Davies' request. The script was started by Casey Robinson in Sep 1934, prior to Cosmopolitan's arrival at Warner Bros., with Leslie Howard and Jean Muir to star. After ten days shooting, William R. Hearst ordered production cancelled and had the script rewritten by James K. McGuinness and Charles Lederer. Jean Negulesco also contributed to the script. Erich Wolfgang Korngold composed some of the music. Modern sources also note that at one time the film had the working title Glorious. The play had been filmed previously in 1928 under the title Glorious Betsy. This part-talkie film starred Dolores Costello and was directed by Alan Crosland (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1921-30; F2.2126). ...

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Rida Johnson Young's play was based on the actual marriage between Napoleon's brother and Elizabeth Patterson in 1803. The marriage produced one son and was annulled by Napoleon's order in 1805. Jerome Bonaparte then married Princess Catherine of Wurtemberg and was made King of Westphalia. Eighteen minutes were cut from the film between its Hollywood preview and the New York opening. Modern sources add the following information: Dick Powell was cast on Marion Davies' request. The script was started by Casey Robinson in Sep 1934, prior to Cosmopolitan's arrival at Warner Bros., with Leslie Howard and Jean Muir to star. After ten days shooting, William R. Hearst ordered production cancelled and had the script rewritten by James K. McGuinness and Charles Lederer. Jean Negulesco also contributed to the script. Erich Wolfgang Korngold composed some of the music. Modern sources also note that at one time the film had the working title Glorious. The play had been filmed previously in 1928 under the title Glorious Betsy. This part-talkie film starred Dolores Costello and was directed by Alan Crosland (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1921-30; F2.2126).

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PERSONAL & COMPANY INDEX CREDITS
CREDIT
HISTORY CREDITS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Daily Variety
4 Jun 1936
p. 3
Film Daily
9 Jun 1936
p. 10
Hollywood Reporter
4 Jun 1936
p. 3
Motion Picture Daily
5 Jun 1936
p. 9
Motion Picture Herald
14 Mar 1936
p. 40
Motion Picture Herald
13 Jun 1936
pp. 68-69
New York Times
13 Jun 1936
p. 13
Variety
17 Jun 1936
p. 23
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION TEXT
A Cosmopolitan Production; A Frank Borzage Production
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTORS
Asst dir
Asst dir
PRODUCERS
Exec prod
Exec prod
WRITERS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photog
ART DIRECTOR
Art dir
FILM EDITOR
Film ed
COSTUMES
Gowns
MUSIC
Vitaphone Orch cond
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on the play Glorious Betsy by Rida Johnson Young (New York, 7 Sep 1908).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHOR
SONGS
"My Kingdom for a Kiss" and "Two Hearts Divided," music and lyrics by Harry Warren and Al Dubin; "Rise up Children and Shine" and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Had," traditionals.
SONGWRITER/COMPOSER
DETAILS
Release Date:
20 June 1936
Premiere Information:
New York opening: 12 Jun 1936
Production Date:

Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Warner Bros Pictures, Inc.
29 June 1936
LP6483
Physical Properties:
Sound
Black and White
Duration(in mins):
70
Length(in reels):
9
Country:
United States
PCA No:
1916
SYNOPSIS

In 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte is negotiating with the United States for the sale of the Louisiana territory. He sends his brother Jerome to America as his ambassador. Arriving incognito at the races in Baltimore, Jerome meets Betsey Patterson, the attractive daughter of Charles Patterson, one of the negotiators. Still in disguise, he applies for the job of her French tutor, and the two fall in love. Jerome, however, is fired from his tutoring job for defending Napoleon too vigorously. After the Louisana purchase is completed, Jerome returns to the Patterson household as himself. The Pattersons are slightly embarrassed, but welcome him. Some time later, Betsey and Jerome announce their engagement, to the dismay of Jerome's counselors, who have received word that Napoleon wants Jerome to return to France to marry the Princess of Wurtemberg, a political alliance that will help Napoleon in the war he is fighting against England. Jerome refuses and sets sail for France with Betsey, intending to marry her once they land, but Napoleon meets the ship and, speaking privately to Betsey, asks her to give Jerome up for the good of France. At first, she will not agree, but finally she leaves without saying goodbye to Jerome. She resigns herself to a lonely life without Jerome. He, however, cannot do without her and follows her back to ...

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In 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte is negotiating with the United States for the sale of the Louisiana territory. He sends his brother Jerome to America as his ambassador. Arriving incognito at the races in Baltimore, Jerome meets Betsey Patterson, the attractive daughter of Charles Patterson, one of the negotiators. Still in disguise, he applies for the job of her French tutor, and the two fall in love. Jerome, however, is fired from his tutoring job for defending Napoleon too vigorously. After the Louisana purchase is completed, Jerome returns to the Patterson household as himself. The Pattersons are slightly embarrassed, but welcome him. Some time later, Betsey and Jerome announce their engagement, to the dismay of Jerome's counselors, who have received word that Napoleon wants Jerome to return to France to marry the Princess of Wurtemberg, a political alliance that will help Napoleon in the war he is fighting against England. Jerome refuses and sets sail for France with Betsey, intending to marry her once they land, but Napoleon meets the ship and, speaking privately to Betsey, asks her to give Jerome up for the good of France. At first, she will not agree, but finally she leaves without saying goodbye to Jerome. She resigns herself to a lonely life without Jerome. He, however, cannot do without her and follows her back to America.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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The American Film Institute is grateful to Sir Paul Getty KBE and the Sir Paul Getty KBE Estate for their dedication to the art of the moving image and their support for the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and without whose support AFI would not have been able to achieve this historical landmark in this epic scholarly endeavor.