Mourning Becomes Electra (1947)
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- Approved
- 2h 39min
- Drama
- 19 Nov 1947 (USA)
- Movie
Eugene O'Neill's updated version of the Oresteia set in New England, after the American Civil War.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Rosalind Russell | ... |
Lavinia Mannon
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| Michael Redgrave | ... |
Orin Mannon
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| Raymond Massey | ... |
Ezra Mannon
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| Katina Paxinou | ... |
Christine Mannon
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| Leo Genn | ... |
Adam Brant
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| Kirk Douglas | ... |
Peter Niles
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| Nancy Coleman | ... |
Hazel Niles
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| Henry Hull | ... |
Seth Beckwith
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| Sara Allgood | ... |
Landlady
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| Thurston Hall | ... |
Dr. Blake
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| Walter Baldwin | ... |
Amos Ames
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| Elisabeth Risdon | ... |
Mrs. Hills
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| Erskine Sanford | ... |
Josiah Borden
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| Jimmy Conlin | ... |
Abner Small
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| Lee Baker | ... |
Reverend Hills
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| Tito Vuolo | ... |
Joe Silva
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| Emma Dunn | ... |
Mrs. Borden
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| Nora Cecil | ... |
Louisa Ames
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| Marie Blake | ... |
Minnie Ames
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| Clem Bevans | ... |
Ira Mackel
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Jean Clarenden | ... |
Eben Nobel
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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André Charlot | ... |
Dr. André Hamel - Christine's Father (uncredited)
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| Robert Dudley | ... |
Chemist (uncredited)
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| Marjorie Eaton | ... |
Woman at Home (uncredited)
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Hans Hopf | ... |
One-Legged Soldier (uncredited)
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| Colin Kenny | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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| Broderick O'Farrell | ... |
Stationmaster (uncredited)
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Gordon Warren | ... |
One-Legged Soldier (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Dudley Nichols | ||
Written by
| Eugene O'Neill | ... | (play) |
| Dudley Nichols | ... | (screenplay) (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Eddie Donahoe | ... | associate producer (as Edward Donahue) |
| Dudley Nichols | ... | producer |
Music by
| Richard Hageman | ||
Cinematography by
| George Barnes | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Roland Gross | ||
| Chandler House | ||
Production Design by
| William Flannery | ||
Art Direction by
| Albert S. D'Agostino | ||
Set Decoration by
| Darrell Silvera | ||
| Maurice Yates | ||
Costume Design by
| Travis Banton | ||
| Gile Steele | ||
Makeup Department
| Gordon Bau | ... | makeup artist |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Harry Mancke | ... | assistant director |
Sound Department
| Clem Portman | ... | sound |
| Earl A. Wolcott | ... | sound |
Special Effects by
| Russell A. Cully | ... | special effects |
| Vernon L. Walker | ... | special effects |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Eugene Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| C. Bakaleinikoff | ... | musical director |
| Lucien Cailliet | ... | orchestrator |
Additional Crew
| Jack Gage | ... | dialogue director |
| Martin Lewis | ... | mannon portraits |
Production Companies
Distributors
- RKO Radio Pictures (1947) (United States) (theatrical)
- RKO Distributing Corporation of Canada (1948) (Canada) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1948) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- RKO Pictures (Australasia) (1948) (Australia) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures de México (1949) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1949) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Image Entertainment (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Bibliotheque (2016) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Theatre Guild (original stage production)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Eugene O'Neill's updated version of the Oresteia. In New England, after the American Civil War, a war-weary Agamemnon, Brigadier General Ezra Mannon (Raymond Massey) comes home to his unhappy wife Christine (Katina Paxinou) and loving daughter Lavinia (Rosalind Russell). But Lavinia's ex-suitor, Adam Brant (Leo Genn), has become Christine's lover, and together Adam and Christine plot to poison Ezra. When they succeed, Lavinia turns to her brother Orin (Sir Michael Redgrave) to help bring the lovers to justice, but when they succeed, Orin goes mad and his suicide note may come between Lavinia and her new suitor, Peter Niles (Kirk Douglas). Written by Kathy Li |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Mother and Daughter Loving the Same Man! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $2,342,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Rosalind Russell received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Lavinia in this movie. Apparently, she was so sure she was going to win that when the winner was about to be announced, she had risen from her seat to accept it... only to discover that Loretta Young had won for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter (1947). See more » |
| Goofs | While Adam Brandt stands by the bench where Lavinia is seated, he holds his hat by his side and then drops it on the ground. Instead of hastily picking it up and putting it on the bench next to him as he sits down, he seems to forget about it and leaves it on the ground after sitting down to talk to her. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Referenced in A Southern Yankee (1948). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Oh Shenandoah See more » |
| Quotes |
Orin Mannon:
You folks at home take death so solemnly. You have to learn to mock or go crazy. See more » |