DRAGONWYCK (1946) — A Gothic Mansion, an Eccentric Cousin, and Murder. Adapted from the Anya Seton classic Novel. — In the 1840s, embittered aristocrat Nicholas Van Ryn (Vincent Price), has come to despise his wife due to h... more »er inability to conceive a male heir; their only child is a daughter he doesn't care for.
Miranda Wells (Gene Tierney) a distant relative of the Van Ryns is invited to live at the New York estate and work as an au pair. But upon Miranda's arrival, she notices Nicholas' eccentricities, including his retreat into guarded rooms and the mean-spirited treatment of his tenants.
Strikingly beautiful, Miranda captivates Nicholas from the start and over time he becomes obsessed with her and poisons his wife so that he can marry Miranda.
Miranda has no knowledge of the murder and eventually falls in love with Nicholas and the two wed. Nicholas' plans for a happily-ever-after life are shattered when Miranda provides a male heir--but one who is sickly and not expected to live to adulthood.
An inconceivable turn of events steals Miranda's innocence forever, puts her life at risk and leaves her with only one hope; the aid of the one man who sees through Nicholas' masquerade.« less