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The Past of Mary Holmes

1933·Movie
1h 10min
82
GreatGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in any country yet.

The Past of Mary Holmes fingerprint

A touch of humor.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Violence5
  • Scare4

Heart

Moving and nostalgic

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics9
  • Pathos8
  • Nostalgia8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Cringe Humor3

World

History, family, and the mind

  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • World Immersion6
  • Rewatchability5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Acting7
  • Character Depth7
  • Intrigue7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing5
  • Music Composition5

Who it's for

AdultsPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A DRAMA OF YOUNG LOVE...SMOTHERED BY A MOTHER'S LOVE!

Mary Holmes (MacKellar), once a famous opera star known as Maria di Nardi, now lives in a run-down shanty and suffers from alcoholism. Known for her eccentric behavior, Mary breeds geese, and is thus known in her neighborhood as 'The Goose Woman'. She blames her grown son Geoffrey (Linden) for the deterioration of her voice, and does everything to destroy his life. When Geoffrey, who works as a commercial artist, announces to her that he will marry Joan Hoyt (Arthur), an actress, she becomes torn with jealousy and threatens to reveal to Joan that he is an illegitimate birth.
DownfallAlcoholismEarly TalkiesTragedyPsychological DramaEccentric CharacterDysfunctional FamilyDestructive JealousyIllegitimacy

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Past of Mary Holmes

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Past of Mary Holmes legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Past of Mary Holmes in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Past of Mary Holmes worth watching?

82
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83/100 (IMDb 6.5). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Past of Mary Holmes rated?

Strong language

Content advisories: strong language.

How long is The Past of Mary Holmes?

1 h 10 min

The Past of Mary Holmes runs 1 h 10 min.

What language is The Past of Mary Holmes in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.