The Fountain (1934)

Set during the first World War in neutral, but pro-German, Holland, Lewis Allison, an interned British officer, is paroled to the castle of Baron Von Leyden and finds living there, but now ... See full summary »

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Samuel Hoffenstein (dialogue), Charles Morgan (novel)

Stars:

Ann Harding, Brian Aherne, Paul Lukas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ann Harding	...	Julie von Marwitz
Brian Aherne	...	Lewis Allison
Paul Lukas	...	Rupert von Narwitz
Jean Hersholt	...	Baron Van Leyden
Ralph Forbes	...	Ballater
Violet Kemble Cooper	...	Baroness Van leyden
Sara Haden	...	Susie
Richard Abbott	...	Allard Van Leyden
Barbara Barondess	...	Geof's wife
Rudolph Anders	...	Geof Van Leyden (as Rudolph Amendt)
Betty Alden	...	Allard's wife
Ian Wolfe	...	Van Arkel
Douglas Wood	...	de Greve
Frank Reicher	...	Doctor
Ferike Boros	...	Nurse

Storyline

Set during the first World War in neutral, but pro-German, Holland, Lewis Allison, an interned British officer, is paroled to the castle of Baron Von Leyden and finds living there, but now married to German officer Rupert Von Narwitz, his childhood sweetheart Julie. Long discussions between Julie and Allison, centering on family conflicts that kept them apart, take place before the severely wounded Von Narwitz returns to the castle and more long discussions ensue.

---

Plot Keywords:

world war one | prisoner of war | based on novel | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 August 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fontaine

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The war bulletin read at the tennis match is a report of the Battle of Jutland. This took place in 1916. Although the British lost more ships than the Germans, it was a strategic victory for the Royal Navy as it maintained its numerical advantage over the German Navy. The German Navy retreated to harbour, leaving the Royal Navy in command of the area. The German Navy remained inactive and in harbour until the end of the war. Though not a total victory for the British, it has been argued that it was a strategic victory for them.

---

Soundtracks

(There Was I) Waiting At The Church
(uncredited)
Music by Henry E. Pether
Lyrics by Fred W. Leigh
Whistled by the prisoners

User Reviews

melancholy and gives some positive feelings

This is slow-moving; after the first twenty minutes it has really no action to speak of, It is totally dialogue and psychological and philosophical to the end. It is also a very sad movie. Still it ends on a positive note, and as a whole is positive, and somewhat dreary at the same time.. Everyone's performances are laudable. Come to think of it, there are even some comic parts in the first section. But once the lead arrives at the estate there is nary a chuckle. However, that is as it should be. The movie speaks of "peace of mind" and "stillness of spirit" as the aims of life. The male lead's performance is extremely sensitive and gentle and his face and manner perfectly express that. The husband is totally mellowed-out and peaceful after the injury he has suffered in the war. It is halfway through the film, when he comes home, that the story gets into the conflict. The whole movie is low-key and very thoughtful. As an aside, the female lead's piano playing and the exact pieces she is playing are wonderful--and quite unlike overly dramatic piano playing you often hear in other movies. The way she handles the part of her character seems just right too.