Working stiff Ginger Rogers with roommates. Image: IMDb
On the face of it, Kitty Foyle (1940) is an old-fashioned melodrama about a woman Torn Between two men.
Ginger Rogers stars as the titular Foyle, a Philadelphia woman who treasures independence and self-resourcefulness above all, including wealth and prominence.
Early in the film, we find Rogers-as-Foyle determined to Make Her Way by enrolling in business school. She lands a job at a magazine, a vanity project owned by a wealthy flirt and gadabout, played by an unconvincing Dennis Morgan.
After the publication (predictably) folds, Rogers finds a new job at a fashionable shop in New York, where she meets a handsome public health doctor (James Craig).
But things aren’t Over with Morgan, and Craig is put on ice while she gets married and divorced, discovers she’s pregnant, and loses the baby.
But on the night Craig proposes, the scoundrel Morgan resurfaces, having deserted his (second) wife and child, promising Rogers an exciting life in South America.
Thus she must choose: marriage to the practical and altruistic Craig, or a common-law relationship with Morgan?
Whom will she choose? We can look for clues in the jewellery these men have given her.
Rogers ain’t impressed with Morgan’s stuffy family. Image: IMDb
Rogers has been given two rings from her beaux.
The first one, from Morgan, is an ancient symbol of eternity, a snake eating its tail, like the ring below, only less attractive.
Image: Etsy
On the other hand, Craig’s diamond ring is modest, but it would still be enough to help finance a gal’s future, should Worst come to Worst.
Image: IMDb
Here’s the thing: Craig accepts Rogers on her own terms, and doesn’t ask her to be less than what she is. He knows about her past relationship with Morgan and isn’t Put Off by it. He’s also aware she may still have Feelings for him, and he accepts that, too. Such is his love for her.
Morgan, on the other hand, could never leave his family (read: Trust Fund). His prominent clan is in the business of protecting generational wealth, after all, and he knows he can push boundaries only So Far. Love is one thing, but an inheritance is quite another.
While Morgan is content to be Bossed Around by his family, no one tells Rogers what to do, even if there’s moola involved. She splits with Morgan; however, she hangs onto his snake ring, signalling an inability to Let Go.
Eventually, she does return the ring, in a surprising way, and Morgan comes a-runnin’ with grandiose plans, which do not include marriage.
Although Morgan’s offer seems to promise more freedom, it actually wouldn’t. Morgan is a man of Whims, ready to discard those who bore or inconvenience him. Their relationship, therefore, would rely entirely on his mood.
If he’s tossed his wife and son aside, Rogers would be foolish to think he’d never do that to her.
Rogers with the steady, non-glam doctor. Image: IMDb
Kitty Foyle is based on the 1939 novel of the same name by American novelist Christopher Morley. The novel had rather juicy material, e.g. Kitty Foyle and her wealthy boyfriend do not marry, and a pregnant Foyle chooses to terminate her pregnancy.
Naturally, this story could never be shown on 1940’s movie screens, and significant tweaks were made to the screenplay. This was, apparently, to Rogers’s relief; IMDb says she hesitated to take the role due to the source material.
Scriptwriters adapted the story in a way that makes Rogers’s character seem even more defiant. Deciding to keep the baby to raise it on her own is consistent with the character’s fierce, independent nature.
Rogers won an Oscar for her work in this film, and she is superb. Look at the scene just after her character delivers her baby in the hospital. She has been heavily medicated, and is not aware, at first, that the baby did not survive. Watch her face: The joy of having a baby shifts to confusion, then anguish with the realization her little one didn’t make it.
Kitty Foyle is a bit dated, but it’s still a terrific film that celebrates a woman who plays by her own rules. Have you seen this film or read the book? What did you think?
Kitty Foyle starring Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, James Craig. Directed by Sam Wood. Written by Christopher Morley, Dalton Trumbo & Donald Ogden Stewart. RKO Radio Pictures, 1940, B&W, 108 mins.
Love how we coincided here Ruth, I’ve just been considering Grace Kelly’s choices in love in High Society and…. Anyway, thanks for joining the blogathon with this great post! Just wondering who would you choose??
I’d choose the doctor, although he can be a bit annoying. Dennis Morgan has an irresistible smile, but he’s not credible in the role, which makes the whole thing a bit lopsided.
As for High Society, Bing Crosby all the way! But more on that when I visit your site. I’m curious to know who you would choose.
I can’t believe I still have never seen this one—and I love Ginger Rogers. She is equally at home in comedy, musical and in drama – one of my favorites of her dramatic roles is Storm Warning with Doris Day and Ronald Reagan…thank you for this wonderful article and the reminder that I need to see her Oscar performance!
Kitty Foyle seems like the romantic equivalent of a horror movie you talk back at, yelling at a character not to [insert your favorite idiotic move here]. It’s so easy to see what she should do — why can’t she see it? And I’m surprised and appalled by Dennis Morgan. He seemed so nice in Christmas in Connecticut. 🙂
I thought it would be a romcom, too, when I first saw it. But it is a solid character study of a woman determined to make her own way in life. Ginger Rogers is absolutely fab in this role.
I’ve heard of Kitty Foyle, but didn’t know a thing about it. After your great review, I want to see the film. Though, to be honest, I want to read the book even more. Thank you for putting both on my radar, Ruth!
I was surprised with Ginger Rogers’ acting range in this film! She is so good, in special in the scene you mentioned. I had never thought about the jewellery as symbols in this movie, but it makes so much sense!
Ginger Rogers marvellous in this film, isn’t she? She garners our sympathies in the opening scene, and has us rooting for her all the way through. Thanks for dropping by!
Great pick, Ruth, and another post that makes me want to dust off my VHS tape. I haven’t watched this since the first time I saw it, decades ago. I am definitely going to check it out again. Loved your jewelry take!
Kitty Foyle was a pretty daring movie for the time, even if it was toned down from the source material, but Ginger Rogers really brings it. Thanks again for joining the blogathon–this was wonderful as always. 🙂
Silver Screenings 
Love how we coincided here Ruth, I’ve just been considering Grace Kelly’s choices in love in High Society and…. Anyway, thanks for joining the blogathon with this great post! Just wondering who would you choose??
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I’d choose the doctor, although he can be a bit annoying. Dennis Morgan has an irresistible smile, but he’s not credible in the role, which makes the whole thing a bit lopsided.
As for High Society, Bing Crosby all the way! But more on that when I visit your site. I’m curious to know who you would choose.
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I haven’t published that post yet, but the drunk Frank Sinatra looked such good fun! Especially in his singing bromance with Bing!
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I can’t believe I still have never seen this one—and I love Ginger Rogers. She is equally at home in comedy, musical and in drama – one of my favorites of her dramatic roles is Storm Warning with Doris Day and Ronald Reagan…thank you for this wonderful article and the reminder that I need to see her Oscar performance!
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Ooh – have yet to see her in Storm Warning.
You might really like Ginger in Kitty Foyle. She really is superb, and she has the audience rooting for her all the way through.
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And agree that Grace Kelly had the best jewelry – the real rock from Prince Rainier!
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HA! Yes, she did!
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Kitty Foyle seems like the romantic equivalent of a horror movie you talk back at, yelling at a character not to [insert your favorite idiotic move here]. It’s so easy to see what she should do — why can’t she see it? And I’m surprised and appalled by Dennis Morgan. He seemed so nice in Christmas in Connecticut. 🙂
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Dennis Morgan is lovely in Christmas in Connecticut, isn’t he? He’s well suited to that role.
I loved your comment about Kitty Foyle being the romantic equivalent of a horror film. So true!
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I thought at first this was a lighthearted romcom but it sounds more like a tragedy!
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I thought it would be a romcom, too, when I first saw it. But it is a solid character study of a woman determined to make her own way in life. Ginger Rogers is absolutely fab in this role.
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I’ve heard of Kitty Foyle, but didn’t know a thing about it. After your great review, I want to see the film. Though, to be honest, I want to read the book even more. Thank you for putting both on my radar, Ruth!
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The book may tell quite a story! If you do find & read it, I’d like to know what you think.
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I was surprised with Ginger Rogers’ acting range in this film! She is so good, in special in the scene you mentioned. I had never thought about the jewellery as symbols in this movie, but it makes so much sense!
Cheers!
Le
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Ginger Rogers marvellous in this film, isn’t she? She garners our sympathies in the opening scene, and has us rooting for her all the way through. Thanks for dropping by!
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Great pick, Ruth, and another post that makes me want to dust off my VHS tape. I haven’t watched this since the first time I saw it, decades ago. I am definitely going to check it out again. Loved your jewelry take!
— Karen
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Firstly, I love that you have VHS tapes AND the ability to watch them.
Secondly, yup – it’s time for a rewatch. When I rewatched it the other week, I wondered why it had taken me so dang long.
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Kitty Foyle was a pretty daring movie for the time, even if it was toned down from the source material, but Ginger Rogers really brings it. Thanks again for joining the blogathon–this was wonderful as always. 🙂
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You said it! Ginger Rogers ALWAYS brings it. She elicts your sympathy right from the start, and she never loses it.
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