The Age of Innocence (1934)

The Age of Innocence (1934) is an American drama film directed by Philip Moeller and starring Irene Dunne, John Boles and Lionel Atwill. The film is an adaptation of the novel The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton which is set amongst aristocrat New Yorkers in the 1870s. Prolific on Broadway, Philip Moeller directed only two films: this, and the 1935 Break of Hearts with Katharine Hepburn.

The novel was made into the silent film version The Age of Innocence (1924 film) starring Beverly Bayne, and a 1993 film version The Age of Innocence (1993 film) starring Michelle Pfeiffer. The 1928 Broadway stage adaptation starred Katharine Cornell.

Synopsis

At his 1875 engagement party, the wealthy Newland Archer (John Boles) is surprised to meet his childhood friend Ellen (Irene Dunne), beautiful and grown up and now Countess Olenska. Olenska is the cousin of his fiancee May (Julie Haydon) and is considered scandalous by the strait-laced society of the time. Newland, however, treats her well and sends her two dozen yellow roses. Olenska turns to Newland for advice about a possible divorce.

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