Ivy (1947) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A concealed romantic entanglement becomes entangled with a death investigation and a trial that ends in a fatal sentence.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Fortune and French Waters

A visitor receives a hopeful fortune reading shadowed by Mrs. Thrawn's sense of misfortune. Miles's circle travels to France, where Mrs. Lexton and Miles speak warmly while the others are away.

Key Events

• Fortune Reading — Mrs. Thrawn predicts change, money, a new man, and warns her visitor to end another relationship. Characters: Mrs. Thrawn Location: Mrs. Thrawn's residence
• A Delighted Departure — The visitor leaves delighted, while Mrs. Thrawn senses terrible misfortune ahead. Characters: Mrs. Thrawn Location: Mrs. Thrawn's residence
• Channel Flight Prize — People discuss Miles's support for an attempt to fly across the English Channel for a prize. Characters: Miles Rushworth Location: Not specified
• French Cruise Party — Miles takes a party including the Lextons and Bella Crail on a cruise in France. Characters: Miles Rushworth, Jervis Lexton, Bella Crail Location: France
• A Private Conversation — Mrs. Lexton stays behind while the others take an excursion and speaks warmly with Miles about Bella and meeting again. Characters: Miles Rushworth, Bella Crail Location: France

Secrets in a Troubled Marriage

The plot establishes the troubled Lexton marriage and Roger's love for Mrs. Lexton. She admits that she concealed his feelings from Jervis, who trusted Roger.

Key Events

• Troubled Marriage — The plot establishes that the marriage between Mrs. Lexton and Jervis is troubled. Characters: Jervis Lexton Location: Not specified
• Roger's Confession of Love — Mrs. Lexton says Roger fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. Characters: Dr. Roger Gretorex, Jervis Lexton Location: Not specified
• Concealed Feelings — Mrs. Lexton says she kept Roger's feelings from Jervis because her husband trusted Roger. Characters: Dr. Roger Gretorex, Jervis Lexton Location: Not specified

Death and Investigation

Jervis dies, and Inspector Orpington questions Mrs. Lexton about Roger and the possibility that Jervis might have taken his own life if he had learned the truth. Mrs. Lexton warns Roger not to implicate her as she fears exposure.

Key Events

• Jervis Dies — Jervis dies, prompting an investigation into the circumstances and relationships surrounding his death. Characters: Jervis Lexton Location: Not specified
• Inspector's Questions — Orpington questions Mrs. Lexton about Roger and whether Jervis might have taken his own life if he knew the truth. Characters: Inspector Orpington, Jervis Lexton Location: Not specified
• Warning to Roger — Mrs. Lexton warns Roger about the police investigation and asks him not to implicate her. Characters: Dr. Roger Gretorex Location: Not specified
• Fear of Exposure — Mrs. Lexton fears that her private relationship with Roger will become public. Characters: Dr. Roger Gretorex Location: Not specified

A Guilty Plea

At Roger's trial, Mrs. Lexton confirms her earlier account but hesitates when asked directly about their relationship. Roger changes his plea to guilty and receives a death sentence.

Key Events

• Trial Testimony — At Roger's trial, Mrs. Lexton confirms what she told Orpington about Roger's love and alleged jealousy. Characters: Dr. Roger Gretorex, Inspector Orpington Location: Court
• Hesitation Under Oath — Mrs. Lexton hesitates when directly questioned about the nature of her relationship with Roger. Characters: Dr. Roger Gretorex Location: Court
• Roger Changes His Plea — Roger withdraws his plea and changes it to guilty. Characters: Dr. Roger Gretorex Location: Court
• Death Sentence — The court sentences Roger to death by hanging. Characters: Dr. Roger Gretorex Location: Court

Leaving Town

After the sentence, Mrs. Lexton prepares to leave town. She refuses to see Mrs. Gretorex until the matter is over.

Key Events

• Preparing to Leave — After the trial, Mrs. Lexton prepares to leave town and refuses to see Mrs. Gretorex until the matter is over. Characters: Mrs. Gretorex Location: Town

Story Breakdown

• Fortune Reading — A prediction offers hope but also foreshadows misfortune.
  • Predicted Change — Mrs. Thrawn predicts change, money, and a new man in her visitor's life.
  • Ominous Warning — Mrs. Thrawn warns the visitor to end another relationship and senses misfortune after she leaves.
• Miles and France — Miles's social circle travels to France, creating a private moment between him and Mrs. Lexton.
  • Channel Prize — People discuss Miles's support for an attempt to fly across the English Channel for a prize.
  • Cruise Conversation — During the French cruise, Mrs. Lexton stays behind and speaks warmly with Miles about Bella and seeing one another again.
• Hidden Affection — Mrs. Lexton describes the concealed feelings that complicate her troubled marriage.
  • Roger's Love — She says Roger fell in love with her and wanted to marry her.
  • Jervis Kept Uninformed — She admits she kept Roger's feelings from Jervis because he trusted Roger.
• Death Investigation — Jervis's death brings the concealed relationship under police scrutiny.
  • Orpington Questions — The inspector asks about Roger and whether Jervis might have taken his own life if he knew the truth.
  • Warning to Roger — Mrs. Lexton warns Roger about the investigation and asks him not to implicate her.
• Courtroom Testimony — Mrs. Lexton's statements about Roger's feelings become part of his trial.
  • Earlier Account — She confirms that she told Orpington Roger loved her and hoped to marry her.
  • Hesitant Answer — She hesitates when asked directly about the nature of her relationship with Roger.
• Sentence and Departure — Roger's guilty plea results in a death sentence, while Mrs. Lexton prepares to leave town.
  • Guilty Plea — Roger withdraws his earlier plea and changes it to guilty.
  • Refusal to Meet — After the sentence, Mrs. Lexton refuses to see Mrs. Gretorex until the matter is over.

Directed by

Sam Wood

Key Cast

• Joan Fontaine — Ivy
• Patric Knowles — Dr. Roger Gretorex
• Herbert Marshall — Miles Rushworth
• Richard Ney — Jervis Lexton
• Cedric Hardwicke — Inspector Orpington