George Brent

An expedition exploring the Amazon jungle comes across a jungle goddess who lives among the animals and fears none of them--and apparently has found the secret of eternal youth. American Jim Warburton crashes his plane in the Amazon jungle and promptly falls in love with Christine Ridgegway , a mysterious huntress who rescues him and his passengers. Christine determinedly evades Jim's courtship and advances, making Dr. Karen Lawrence suspect she has a tragic reason for fleeing to Rio to escape Jim. Karen and Jim follow her to Rio de Janeiro and, while dining in a restaurant, see a man named Sebastian Ortega greet Christine. She screams, faints and falls into a long illness. Later, Ortega tells Jim that he knew Mrs. Ridgeway, whom he assumes was Christine's mother, when she was honeymooning in the jungle---a couple of decades ago---with her adventurer-husband, Anthony Ridgeway. Although terrified of animals, Mrs. Ridgeway had saved her husband's life when a panther attacked him in the same jungle where Christine was hunting when Jim's airplane crashed. She plunged into hysteria, following the incident, and returned to the United States. Jim thinks this a good story but fails to comprehend why a bad experience in the Brazilian jungle should make Christine fear falling in love. Christine goes to California and Jim follows her. There, he meets Anthony and is told an incredible tale; The Christine that Jim has fallen in love with is not the young girl Jim thinks she is. Christine is the honeymoon bride who saved Anthony's more than twenty years ago. Now, nearly fifty-years-old, she has been in a state of shock since the panther-attack---a state that has made her ageless. Her changeless beauty had became a curse when her grown daughter's fiancée made violent love to her against her will. The daughter, blaming her mother's eternal youth, killed herself. Anthony's critical evaluations of her cursed beauty led to her leaving him and returning to the jungle, where Jim met her. There's still one major twist left before this one ends. —Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>

The day before her wedding, a pampered young woman absconds with her sister's husband. Her sister begins seeing the woman's former fiancé. A young woman, Stanley Timberlake, dumps her fiancé, Craig Fleming, and runs off with her sister Roy's husband, Peter Kingsmill. They marry, then settle in Baltimore, where Stanley ultimately drives Peter to drink and suicide. Stanley returns home to Richmond and learns that her old flame Craig has fallen in love with Roy and they plan to marry. Jealous, selfish Stanley attempts to win back Craig's affections, but her true character is revealed when, rather than take the rap herself, she attempts to pin a hit-and-run accident on Parry Clay, the young African-American clerk works in Craig's law office. —Bonnie Barber <bonbar@mit.edu> Adult sisters Roy Kingsmill and Stanley Timberlake are the daughters of Asa and Lavinia Timberlake. Roy takes after her father's side of the family--compassionate and thoughtful if somewhat "soft"--whereas Stanley takes after her mother's side of the family: cutthroat and selfish. The differences between these two sides of the family can also be seen in the former business dealing between Asa and Lavinia's brother, William Fitzroy, who came into wealth at the expense of Asa's side of the business. William dotes on his niece Stanley, who adds excitement to his life. Stanley is about to marry Craig Fleming, a lawyer without much professional ambition. Roy is already married to surgeon Peter Kingsmill and they live in the Timberlake family home. Just before Stanley and Craig's wedding, Stanley and Peter, who have been having an affair, run off together. Peter felt stifled in the marriage because of living at the Timberlakes' while Roy allowed her family to control their lives. After Stanley and Peter run off, Roy and Craig try to get on with their lives. Just as Roy and Craig feel that they have left this dark part of the lives behind them, Stanley re-enters their lives, insisting on satisfying her selfish desires at the cost of anyone who gets in her way. —Huggo As her marriage to Craig Fleming approaches, vivacious, carefree Stanley Timberlake runs off with her sister Roy's husband, surgeon Peter Kingsmill, then divorces him. He marries Stanley, but their life together isn't happy; her selfish, spendthrift ways drive him to drink--and ultimately to suicide. Back home, Roy has rebuilt her life and she and Craig are in love and plan to marry. Stanley returns home and sets her sights on getting Craig back, but after she accidentally hits a mother and child with her car, she points the finger at Parry Clay, a hard-working young Black man studying law while working as a clerk for Craig. Her story soon breaks down and she runs off, with tragic results. —garykmcd In Great-Depression-era Richmond, industrialist Asa Timberlake is cheated by his brother-in-law and partner William Fitzroy and loses his business to him. His spoiled daughter Stanley Timberlake, Uncle William's pride and joy, is about to marry idealist lawyer Craig Fleming--but then she flees to Baltimore with surgeon Peter Kingsmill, her sister Roy's husband. After a short period of happiness, Peter cannot afford to support Stanley's expensive tastes and commits suicide. Roy divorces Peter and gets close to Craig, who proposes to her. Parry Clay, a Black teenager who works for Timberlake, dreams of becoming a lawyer, and Craig hires him to work in his office. the shopping of Stanley and commits suicide. Meanwhile, Roy divorces Peter and gets close to Craig who proposes to marry her. Stanley returns home and unsuccessfully tries to seduce Craig, inviting him to have dinner with her in a tavern. However, Craig does not arrive, and Stanley, upset, speeds back home, committing a hit-and-run that kills a child. When the police comes to Asa's house, Stanley accuses Parry of driving her car, and the innocent youth is arrested and jailed. What will happen to him? —Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Wealthy young socialite Judith "Judy" Traherne spends her time partying and horse riding. She has many friends but no one really close, except for her cousin Ann, who serves as her companion. But Judy is hiding symptoms which are rapidly becoming worse. For several months she has headaches and memory loss. Then her vision becomes affected. Trying to laugh it off, Judy confides in Ann. But Ann takes it seriously, especially after Judy is injured in a horse riding accident. Dr. Parsons, the family's elderly physician, believes her to be seriously ill. He recommends that she see Dr. Frederick Steele, a neurologist. Judy refuses until she falls down the stairs. Reluctantly, she agrees to at least meet Dr. Steele. Although Dr. Steele is closing his office to move to Vermont and do research, he makes time to see Judy. She is flippant until he asks her why she is so afraid. Whatever is wrong won't go away by ignoring it. He asks about her symptoms, which she tries to dismiss but finally admits to having. After performing a few simple tests in his office, he wants her to have a series of x-rays. Between these appointments, she is to go about her life as usual. For Judy, that means giving a party at her home. Dr. Steele calls in two other neurologists to look at the x-rays and all agree that Judy needs immediate surgery. By this time, Dr. Steele is in love with Judy, although he manages to hide it. He is certain that surgery will reveal a malignant brain tumor, a glioma, and this proves to be the case. But he tells her she will be fine now, not wising to upset her by telling the truth. Ann senses he is holding something back and at last he tells her. They both agree that Judy should not know, even though she only has a few months left to live. Frederick reveals that she won't be in any pain, and that when she starts losing her eyesight, the end is near. Frederick and Judy admit their feelings for each other and make plans to marry. Judy visits Frederick's office while his nurse is packing for the move to Vermont. She catches sight of a file folder with her name on it and can't resist peeking. To her horror, she learns that her case is considered "prognosis, negative" and asks the nurse what it means. After learning that it means the patient is likely dying, Judy runs from the office and confronts Frederick. He tries to explain but there is really nothing to say. She thinks he wants to marry her out of pity. They quarrel and Judy returns to her old life of partying and drinking. Her horse trainer, Michael O'Leary, who is secretly in love with her, kisses her and asks her to forget Dr. Steele. But Judy realizes she can never forget Frederick. One of Judy's more serious boyfriends, playboy Alec, invites Frederick to his apartment for a drink. They discuss Judy. Alec has loved her for years but he can't help her now. Just then the bell rings and it is Judy. She came to talk to Alec and is startled to see Frederick. Alec tactfully excuses himself, Judy apologizes, and Frederick says there is nothing to apologize for. They decide to carry out their original plan, to marry and move to Vermont. Three months later, Judy is still feeling well and is very happy in her marriage. Ann comes for a visit. She is trying to sell Judy's apartment and horses, but so far hasn't found a buyer. Frederick has a chance to speak with Ann alone and warns her not to say anything to Judy about her terminal condition. They never discuss it and he doesn't want it brought up now. During Ann's visit, Michael the horse trainer stops by. Judy reminds him that her horse should win the upcoming Grand National, even though he doesn't think so. He tells her he's been praying for her, which seems to displease her. Frederick is going to a medical conference in New York and Judy is expecting to go with him. But while outside helping Ann plant flower bulbs, she remarks that a storm must be brewing, as it's getting dark. Ann instantly knows what is happening, and Judy realizes it too. She orders Ann to say nothing to Frederick, that he must make this trip because it is important for his research. They go inside and Judy tells Frederick that she's changed her mind about accompanying him. Although nearly blind, she manages to conceal this from him and even helps him finish packing. After he departs, Judy asks Ann to help her plant the hyacinth bulbs, as they are Frederick's favorite. Ann digs the holes and Judy plants several bulbs. She asks Ann to always stay with Frederick, as he will be so lonely. If Judy's horse wins the Grand National, Ann is to give a big party for all their friends and serve champagne. Then Judy asks to go inside. At the door, she says that she wants to be alone and asks Ann to leave for a while. Ann runs off down the road, unable to hold back her tears. The housekeeper, Martha, checks on Judy and find her kneeling in prayer beside her bed. Then she lies down. Martha covers her with a duvet and quietly leaves the room. The last scene is of Judy awaiting death.

In 1850s Louisiana, a free-spirited Southern belle loses her fiancé due to her stubborn vanity and pride, and vows to win him back. In one of her most renowned roles, Bette Davis portrays Julie Marsden, a spoiled Southern belle who risks losing her suitor with her impetuous behavior. Engaged to successful banker Preston Dillard, Julie pushes him away with her arrogant and contrary ways, leading to a scandalous scene at a major social event and his subsequent departure. When Preston eventually returns and Julie attempts to win him back, she discovers that it may be too late. —Jwelch5742 Set in antebellum New Orleans during the early 1850's, this film follows Julie Marsden through her quest for social redemption on her own terms. Julie is a beautiful and free spirited, rapacious Southern belle who is sure of herself and controlling of her fiancé Preston Dillard, a successful young banker. Julie's sensitive but domineering personality--she does not want so much to hurt as to assert her independence--forces a wedge between Preston and herself. To win him back, she plays North against South amid a deadly epidemic of yellow fever which claims a surprising victim. —Adam Brodsky <adam_brodsky@hotmail.com>