This is part of a series where I blog my thoughts as I watch a classic movie for the first time.

The Magnificent Ambersons

Love the voice over in the intro. Reminds me of artsy independent films.

Isabel Amberson is mad at a guy named Wilbur. Apparently he got drunk and embarrassed her. But Wilbur and Isabel end up getting married. They had one child. And that one kid was a difficult one. His name is George. His parents do not enforce discipline.

George is sent off to school and returns as an adult – as much a terror as he was as a kid, if not more.

There’s a party at the Amberson mansion. A man named Eugene approaches Isabel. Obviously they’re attracted to each other. Wilbur is in another room, not one for socializing.

A lady named Miss Morgan approaches. George likes her immediately. George and Miss Morgan walk throughout the house, talking. George keeps making fun of Eugene.

We learn Miss Morgan’s first name is Lucy. She’s been in town for a week and made quite an impression. All the young dudes are attracted to her. Her dad is an inventor and is currently working on an automobile. George makes fun of Eugene again. Turns out Lucy’s dad is Eugene. Oops!

Eugene dances with Isabel.

Lucy asks what George is studying. He says he doesn’t want a profession. He seems to think its useless. He wants to be a yachtsman. Lucy seems shocked by such a confession.

Eugene and Isabel dance into the night.

It’s time for the Morgans to leave. George commands Lucy to go on a sleigh ride tomorrow. But Lucy seems to think his insistence is funny.

George is suspicious of Eugene’s intentions.

George and his aunt Fanny get in an argument about Eugene. She gets defensive. She believes George is accusing her of using Isabel to help her get closer to Eugene, who is a widower. Somebody’s got a crush!

The next day, George and Lucy go on a sleigh ride. Eugene is trying to show off the horseless carriage (aka automobile) to the Ambersons. George taunts Eugene saying “Get a horse.” Then the sleigh tips George and Lucy over. They roll down the hill in each other’s arms. Love is in their eyes!

Finally, the automobile gets going and the gang gets a singing.

Fade to black. Next scene, a funeral. Wilbur has died.

Time passes and Eugene and Isabel start a relationship. Meanwhile, George is trying to get Lucy to agree to marry him. She refuses. She fears that it won’t really come true. Plus, he doesn’t have ambition for a career.

George finds out from Fanny about Eugene and his mom. George is furious, realizing the two were in love before his dad died.

Agnes Moorhead is giving a great performance in the role of Fanny. She resembles Anjelica Huston.

Mr. Morgan comes to call for Isabel. George answers and slams the door in his face. What a whiner!

Eugene writes Isabel and encourages her to not let George tell her what to do.

Isabel lets George read the letter, hoping he’ll come around. That was stupid. She seems to want her son’s blessing. Huh? Live your own life lady! He doesn’t give it and Isabel thinks that Eugene will wait for her until George comes around. Isabel and George decide to go away for awhile.

George tells Lucy. He hopes she’ll be disappointed. But she pretends to be happy for him. She’s so over him b/c he’s a loser. He keeps trying to make her sad. But she doesn’t bite. Smart girl. The joke is on him. It’s a lesson he needs to learn, but will he?

She really is sad, but waits until he’s gone to show it.

Eugene and Lucy have Uncle Jack over. We learn Isabel is very sick. Jack wonders if having her come home will make her well. But Jack and Eugene both agree that George still has his grip on her life.

George and Isabel come home. Isabel notes how the town has changed. Eugene comes to visit. George tries to prevent his visit. Fanny cries. Jack tells Eugene that Isabel is not well enough to see him.

Isabel asks about Eugene. She wants to see him.

Isabel dies.

George finds out what it’s like to take care of himself. He gets a job at a law office that pays $8 a month. He expects Fanny to give him money, but she only has $28 to her name. She invested in a company that didn’t work out.

Fanny breaks down. I’m pretty sure she’s lost her mind. George takes it upon himself to take care of her instead. He drops the law job to work for a chemical company that pays more so they can afford an aparment that costs $100 a month.

George gets on his knees and prays. His current circumstances have humbled him. It’s the last night he’s in the Amberson mansion.

George gets in an automobile accident and breaks two legs.

Eugene and Lucy read about it in the paper. They both visit him. Fanny runs into Eugene coming out of the room. Eugene tells how George asked for forgiveness and he granted it.

The end.

I guess we can assume Lucy and George got together. Did Eugene and Fanny? I hope so.