The Bennet sisters and their voluminous MGM fashions. Image: Pinterest
MGM’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1940) is one of those Look-At-Me prestige pictures.
The film boasts A-List actors (Laurence Olivier, Greer Garson), with sumptuous gowns by MGM wardrobe designer Adrian, and Oscar-winning art direction.
Critics of the era loved it, including the curmudgeonly Bosley Crowther of the New York Times. “The whole thing has been accomplished through a steady flow of superlative wit,” he gushed, “which puts a snapper on almost every scene…”¹
This “snapper” of a film also has a 100% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes.
As you know, prestige means big money and big business in Hollywood, and even though Pride and Prejudice wasn’t the most profitable film of the year, it presents us with an excellent business case study.
By that we mean the film’s depiction of a nineteenth-century business tycoon, namely, Mrs. Bennet.
Mrs. Bennet, Chief Executive Officer. Image: Pinterest
Mrs. Bennet (Mary Boland) appears to be, at first glance, a manipulative and demanding mother.
OK, that she is, but look at what she’s up against. As the aging mother of five (!) unmarried daughters, she wants to ensure they’ll be Provided For. But she’s also hamstrung: Rural, 19th-century England offers limited career options for women, so she must engineer advantageous marriages for her brood.
Mrs. Bennet certainly has the market share of unmarried women – her five daughters are beautiful and accomplished – but, alas, the marriage market has collapsed. She can’t unload her inventory.
Like any shrewd business woman, she scrutinizes her competition and seizes potential opportunities, e.g. when two handsome bachelors move into the neighbourhood.
But here’s the kicker. Due to property/inheritance laws, none of her children will inherit her husband’s estate because they are women. The estate will instead go to a male relative; in this case, the pompous Mr. Collins, a man heartily disliked by nearly everyone he meets.
Welcome to Mrs. Bennet’s worst nightmare.
Mr. Collins (r) hits on Elizabeth. Image: Alamy
It has come to this: At least one of the daughters must Marry Well to provide for the rest. But Mrs. Bennet needs a Back-Up Plan in case that doesn’t happen. Additionally, she must also control the urge to throttle Mr. Collins whilst he catalogues his future inheritance.
She’s a CEO in a bear market, and she’s threatened by a hostile takeover. It’s a wonder she sleeps at night.
Because her husband has adopted a less angst-ridden outlook regarding The Future, Mrs. Bennet is left to do all the forecasting and market positioning herself. So it’s only natural she’s given to nervous collapses and fits of despair.
It would be an onerous burden for anyone, but Mrs. Bennet doesn’t seek fancy perks or year-end bonuses. She carries this load out of love for her family.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth have a tête-à-tête. Image: IMDb
Pride and Prejudice has been adapted to film and television numerous times, and you can see a complete list here.
Although the 1940 film sets the story in the 1830s instead of the 1810s – because, rumour has it, the costumes would be more glamorous – this version is barrels o’ fun.
We (yours truly) aren’t convinced Greer Garson is the best choice as Elizabeth; however, Garson is nothing if not talented, and her scenes with Laurence Olivier are delectable.
The script, by Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin, is smart and witty, and it pokes fun at The Way People (still) Are.
If you’re a fan of Pride and Prejudice, the novel, we hope you’ll treat yourself to this MGM extravaganza featuring a 19th-century Marriage Tycoon.
Notes
Pride and Prejudice: starring Greer Garson, Laurence Olivier, Mary Boland. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard. Written by Aldous Huxley & Jane Murfin. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940, B&W, 118 mins.
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You nailed the dilemma of Mrs. Bennett most appropriately. What a delightful article!
I can truly understand MGM’s change of era to use those marvelous costumes. What I can’t understand, having once made that choice, is not doing everything on heaven and earth to film with Technicolor. I’m assuming Gone With the Wind was sucking up all the available technology and film, but maybe wait a couple of months – anything!
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You make such a great point about Technicolor. The costumes would be STUNNING!
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Ha ha! I love your brilliant take on this classic story. Thanks for helping me see it in a new light.
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Thanks! Mary Boland’s performance really resonated with me the last time I watched this. I thought, Wait a minute – she’s the one doing all the heavy lifting here. 😉
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In one of my film classes in college we did a big study of several different Pride and Prejudice adaptations and this was one of them. I did really enjoy it, but I have to say top billing for me goes to the 1995 mini-series (listed in your link above). Can’t beat that cast and they did a remarkable job sticking close to the book, which I always enjoy as a “book purist” 🙂 That being said, I still really enjoyed this one too.
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Admittedly, the 1940 version is flawed, but I. Cant. Help. Myself.
I’ve not seen the 1995 mini-series, but I will look for it. Thanks!
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I’ve never seen this version–looks very interesting. The BBC mini-series is still the best in my book with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth!
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Oh, this was so fun and delightful to read. You have an excellent point about Mrs. Bennet being a Marriage Broker in the 1800s. People focus on how loudly she went about it, and not that she… had to do it. 😉
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Thanks so much! I never used to be much of a fan of Mrs. Bennet, but the last time I watched this film, it struck me how she created a career out of getting her daughters married.
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Yeah, she could have gone on to be a professional matchmaker for other families and gotten paid for it. Or not. 😉
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Although Greer Garson was significantly older than Elizabeth Bennett at the time, I think she captures the spunk and intelligence of the character beautifully. Plus, she and Olivier are a perfect match of opposites! Despite having to condense the plot, I think this is probably my second favorite adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. The best is still the TV miniseries with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.
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I really like this adaptation, too. Such a great supporting cast. I like Garson’s performance, and really like her paired with Olivier, but I just can’t buy her as Elizabeth. However, like you said, her character is smart and witty, which helps make this film a joy to watch.
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Thank you for your intelligent post! I enjoyed your clever perspective on this film, and I will re-watch it with this in mind.
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As you know, this isn’t a perfect adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, but I can’t help myself! It must be those gorgeous costumes. Plus Laurence Olivier.
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I’ve read the book and watched the movie a million times now, but never thought of Mrs. Bennet as an intelligent business woman. Interesting post, loved your interpretation! 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 Which is your favourite screen adaptation of the story?
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1995 mini series 😄 But I also liked the 1940 movie adaptation of the book.
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OK you convinced me to see this! Thank you!
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Haha! I hope you enjoy. 🙂
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