Mr. Skeffington (1944) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A vain socialite gradually discovers that enduring love, not beauty or wealth, defines a person's true worth.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Beauty And Bargain

Fanny is introduced as a celebrated beauty whose brother's financial crime threatens the family. She uses Job's love to secure a marriage designed to prevent prosecution.

Key Events

• Fanny's Social Triumph — Fanny is introduced as a renowned beauty surrounded by suitors. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's social world
• The Embezzlement Crisis — Fanny learns that her brother has embezzled money from Job. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington Location: Job's business
• Fanny Pursues Job — Fanny pursues the lovestruck Job to protect her brother. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington Location: Fanny's home
• A Marriage Of Rescue — Fanny marries Job to prevent prosecution of her brother. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington Location: Fanny's home
• War Separates The Family — The family is divided by World War I and military service. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington, George Trellis Location: France and the home front

Marriage Without Love

War and family loss leave Fanny emotionally detached from Job. Her social affairs continue while Job becomes increasingly lonely, eventually provoking divorce.

Key Events

• A Loveless Marriage — After a family loss, Fanny says she is stuck with Job. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington Location: Fanny's home
• Fanny's Social Games — Fanny continues attracting suitors and pursuing younger lovers. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's social world
• Job Seeks Solace — Lonely Job finds solace with his secretaries. Characters: Job Skeffington Location: Job's workplace
• The Divorce — Fanny discovers Job's solace elsewhere and divorces him. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington Location: Fanny's home
• A Child Chooses Job — Their daughter prefers Job and asks to accompany him to Europe. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington Location: Fanny's home

Vanity In Decline

Fanny separates from her child and lives comfortably on Job's settlement. Diphtheria destroys her appearance, and a humiliating party exposes the collapse of her social power.

Key Events

• Job Explains Prejudice — Job unsuccessfully tries to explain the prejudice his child may face abroad. Characters: Job Skeffington Location: Fanny's home
• A Tearful Departure — Job tearfully agrees to let his child accompany him to Europe. Characters: Job Skeffington, Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's home
• Fanny Lives Independently — Fanny lives on a generous settlement and gives little thought to her daughter. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's home
• Illness Destroys Her Beauty — Diphtheria ravages Fanny's appearance while she remains in denial. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's home
• The Cruel Party — Fanny invites former lovers and their wives to see her unchanged beauty. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's home

The Cost Of Vanity

Fanny's daughter returns, condemns her emotional neglect, and leaves for Seattle. An old suitor then withdraws his proposal, leaving Fanny isolated with Manby.

Key Events

• The Guests React — The men are shocked and the women relieved by Fanny's changed appearance. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's home
• A Daughter Returns — Fanny's daughter returns from Europe because of the rise of the Nazis. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's home
• The Daughter Leaves — Fanny's daughter explains her lack of love and leaves for Seattle after marriage. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's home
• The Withdrawn Proposal — An old beau withdraws his proposal after suspecting Fanny is no longer wealthy. Characters: Fanny Trellis Location: Fanny's home

Love Comes Home

George brings back Job, now penniless and blind after torture in a Nazi concentration camp. Fanny embraces him and finally recognizes that love, rather than beauty, gives meaning to her life.

Key Events

• George Brings Job Home — George unexpectedly brings penniless Job back and asks Fanny for generosity. Characters: Fanny Trellis, George Trellis, Job Skeffington Location: Fanny's home
• Job Stumbles Blind — Job moves toward Fanny, stumbles, and reveals that he is blind. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington, George Trellis Location: Fanny's parlor
• Mr. Skeffington Comes Home — Fanny cradles Job and guides him upstairs, finally understanding love. Characters: Fanny Trellis, Job Skeffington, George Trellis, Manby Location: Fanny's grand staircase

Story Breakdown

• Fanny's Golden World — Fanny begins as a celebrated beauty whose social power attracts numerous suitors.
  • Renowned Beauty — Fanny is introduced as a spoiled and highly admired socialite.
  • Persistent Suitors — She enjoys controlling the attention of several unfazed admirers.
• The Protective Marriage — A family financial crisis leads Fanny to exploit Job's devotion.
  • Embezzlement Crisis — Fanny learns that her brother's financial misconduct threatens prosecution.
  • Marriage Of Rescue — She marries Job to protect her family rather than from love.
• Love And Abandonment — The marriage becomes increasingly unequal as Fanny pursues pleasure and Job suffers loneliness.
  • Loveless Household — Fanny admits that she feels trapped in the marriage after a family loss.
  • Divorce And Separation — Fanny divorces Job and accepts a large financial settlement.
• The Broken Beauty — Fanny's appearance and social identity collapse, exposing the weakness of her former values.
  • Diphtheria's Damage — Illness ravages the beauty on which Fanny's identity depends.
  • Humiliating Party — Former lovers react with shock when Fanny's changed appearance is revealed.
• Family's Final Rejection — Fanny loses both her daughter's affection and the security of an old suitor's interest.
  • Daughter's Return — Her daughter returns from Europe because of the rise of the Nazis.
  • Seattle Departure — Her daughter leaves after explaining that she feels no real love for Fanny.
• Job's Homecoming — Job's suffering forces Fanny to confront the love she rejected for decades.
  • George's Intervention — George brings Job home and asks Fanny to act generously.
  • Blindness Revealed — Job's blindness and impoverishment transform Fanny's understanding of him.
  • Beauty Through Love — Fanny embraces Job and finally realizes the truth of his earlier words.

Directed by

Vincent Sherman

Key Cast

• Bette Davis — Fanny Trellis
• Claude Rains — Job Skeffington
• Walter Abel — George Trellis
• George Coulouris — Dr. Byles
• Richard Waring — Trippy Trellis