Silver Screen Magic with Merle Oberon

Merle Oberon was a British actress of Anglo-Indian origin. Her acting career spanned the 1920s to the 1970s, and she was a major leading lady during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Director Sidney Franklin directed the 1935 American film “The Dark Angel." The film starred Merle Oberon, Fredric March, and Herbert Marshal. It was adapted from the play of the same name by Guy Bolton.

The storyline revolves around Kitty Vane (Merle Oberon), Alan Trent (Frederic March), and his cousin Gerald Shannon (Herbert Marshall), who have been close friends since childhood. Both Alan and Gerald are in love with Kitty, but she loves only Alan. On leave from the front during WW I, Alan proposed to Kitty; she accepted, but there was no one to marry them, and they chose to spend the night together.

Director Tim Whelan directed the 1938 British romantic comedy “The Divorce of Lady X." The film was a remake of the 1933 film “Counsel’s Opinion” from London Films. The film starred Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, and Binnie Barnes.

The storyline is about when a thick London fog forces young socialite Leslie Steele (Merle Oberon) to seek refuge in a hotel suite occupied by lawyer Everard Logan (Laurence Olivier), she charms him into giving up his room. This follows a comedy of errors.

Director Roy Del Ruth directed the 1935 American musical comedy “Folies Bergère de Paris." The film was based on the 1934 play “The Red Cat” by Rudolph Lothar and Hans Adler. It starred Maurice Chevalier, Merle Oberon, and Ann Sothern.

The storyline revolves around Eugen Carlier (Maurice Chevalier), a stage entertainer, who successfully impersonates rich and famous but unfaithful banker Baron Ferdinand Cassini, who is drawn towards Carlier’s partner Mimi (Ann Sothern). Ensues a comical game of mistaken identity for everyone, including Baroness Genevieve Cassini (Merle Oberon).

Director William Wyler directed the 1936 American drama “These Three”. It was based on the play “The Children’s Hour” by Lillian Hellman. The film starred Miriam Hopkins, Merle Oberon, Joel McCrea, and Bonita Granville.

The storyline revolves around Karen Wright (Merle Oberon) and Martha Dobie (Miriam Hopkins), two schoolteachers, both of whom are in love with the same man, Dr. Joe Cardin (Joel McCrea). Their lives are turned upside down when one of their students cooks up a malicious lie.

Director John Cromwell directed the 1948 American drama “Night Song." The film starred Dana Andrews, Merle Oberon, and Ethel Barrymore.

The storyline revolves around Cathy Mallory (Merle Oberon), a beautiful socialite who falls in love with a blind pianist, Dan Evans (Dana Andrews), after being entranced by his music.

Directors Thornton Freeland and William K. Howard directed the 1939 British comedy film “Over the Moon." It starred Merle Oberon, Rex Harrison, Ursula Jeans, and Herbert Lomas.

The storyline revolves around Jane Benson (Merle Oberon) who runs a large family house in Yorkshire but just manages to make ends meet. She is in love with Freddie Jarvis (Rex Harrison) and wants to marry him. However, her life takes a turn when she finds out she has inherited eighteen million pounds.

Directors Edmund Goulding and Anatole Litvak directed the 1940 romance “Til We Meet Again." The film starred Merle Oberon and George Brent.

The storyline revolves around Joan Ames (Merle Oberon), who is suffering from a terminal illness and decides to spend her remaining days traveling around the world. She meets Dan Hardesty (George Brent) at a crowded bar in Hong Kong and then on an ocean liner, and they fall in love. Dan does not know that Joan is dying, and Joan does not know Dan is being escorted back to be hanged. 

Director William Wyler directed the 1939 American romantic period drama “Wuthering Heights." It is based on the 1847 novel of the same name by Emily Brontë. The film depicts only 16 of the novel’s 34 chapters, eliminating the second generations of characters. It starred Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier, and David Niven.

The storyline revolves around Heathcliff (Laurence Olivier), an orphaned boy found in the streets by Mr. Earnshaw (Cecil Kellaway). He brings him to live with his own children Cathy (Merle Oberon) and Hindley (Hugh Williams). Over the years, Cathy and Heathcliff develop feelings for one another, although Hindley despises Heathcliff. However, their neighbor Edgar Linton (David Niven) also falls for Cathy and proposes to her. Heathcliff decides to disappear from her life forever.