MovieChat Forums > The Heiress (1949) Discussion > What if they HAD married?

What if they HAD married?

posted 15 years ago by benhere
46 replies | jump to latest

Would Catherine have been, and remained, happy? Would Morris have been a good, or at least reasonable, husband?

This is pure speculation but I believe that the marriage would have lasted, with each accepting the reality of the situation and making the best of it. Morris was smart enough to know that his continued comfort relied on his ability to maintain Catherine's sense of security. I also think that beyond his fortune hunting, he had at least a basic respect for Catherine. Although his betrayal was a cruel act (more an act of cowardice), I don't think he was generally a cruel man.

Catherine would have, over time, come to realize that Morris' motivations were primarily mercenary. But she genuinely loved him in the beginning and would learn to accept her lot in life (the alternative being old-maidhood, a humiliating situation in 19th century society).

To speculate further, I believe Morris would give Catherine children, hoping that she would then redirect much of her energy towards raising a family. I even think that Morris might have used his brains and new-found wealth to make good in the world, either in business or philanthropy.

Alternatively, the whole thing could have devolved into "Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf".

If I had choice of weapons with you, sir, I'd choose grammar.

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

Hard to tell. As Siriry posted, if she had accepted him at the end, he seemed truly happy to be home. He may have been as attentive and loving to keep her happy. But she would bring less to the table, because she could not trust him. Kids would have helped because she would have them to replace was she would not give to Morris. But if she ever saw the marriage she wanted, it could drive the divide wider between them.
I vote she would be okay.

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

[–] TheChamCham 11 years ago

I find it strange that you all think they would have had children. Morris may have consummated the marriage strictly to make certain that it was legally binding but he never showed her any real affection and sex was easily purchased by Victorian gentlemen so he would most likely have enjoyed Catherine's money while maintaining a platonic relationship with her. What could she do ? She was not likely to fling herself at him and her pride would have kept her from telling anyone. They would have kept up appearances until the money ran out ( with none coming in and Morris' expensive tastes how long would it have lasted?) He would have kept his eye out for another gullible rich girl or widow and left Catherine. A cad is a cad. They DO NOT change!

"When someone shows you who they TRULY are, believe them the FIRST time."

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

Life had been hard for him and he didn't go looking for someone new, he went back to Catherine. I think he would have done anything to keep her, to ensure the money, and the house.
He was a cad, and no one asked any better of him. So why would he? Morris didn't want to contribute to society, he wanted to take from society. Some would say he had his looks and that was his ticket. Plus, what he wanted to do was acceptable, marry for money. He would never be the bad guy in a society that felt appearances were as or more important than character.

As for people never changing, I believe they do. I have faith.

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

[–] TheChamCham 11 years ago

I just watched it again.He had seven years to ten years(judging by the ages of
Marian's children and allowing for pregnancy,etc.) to make something of himself in California and come back with proof that he was worthy of Catherine. But he didn't. He even admitted having to borrow the boat fare just as he had done when he went away. He hadn't changed at all except to grow a bad "teenage" moustache and sideburns. more evidence of his shallowness. If he made some money (even in a shady way-gambling,etc.) or had found a position in New York before coming to see her it would have at least showed that he was trying. And he was staying with his sister again (for free and yes, Lavinia did the same with the Slopers but she was a woman and a minister's widow with probably no income and dependent on the kindness and generosity of her family.It isn't the same for a man unless he was old or ill) so he was exactly the same person albeit more desperate. Catherine should have adopted him. He needed a mother more than a wife.Or she should have given him a job in her house.Or kept him as a pet.
I appreciate that you believe that people can change for the better and I hope that you are right but so far,I have not found that to be true.

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

Thank-you for the compliment. And I hope you do find what I believe. It's taken me a long time to want to believe it myself. I have faith.
I agree that Morris was a user. And her father was no better in his treatment of her. He knew Morris was a cad, but he also believed that no man of substance could love her. I want to watch the film again myself, because I wonder if the father would have agreed to the match if Morris had tried to bring something to the table.

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

[–] Forlorn_Rage 8 years ago

Plus, what he wanted to do was acceptable, marry for money. He would never be the bad guy in a society that felt appearances were as or more important than character.

You bring up a good point, but I think even the most earnest of social climbers need to keep show some respectability and prospects. Contrast this with another Montgomery Clift role, George Eastman. He had no education, money, property, nothing except rich, distant relatives who barely acknowledged him.

But, there is a huge difference between Morris and George. George was willing and able to work his way up to a good position and fortune, which eventually won over his relatives, his rich girlfriend and her family. By contrast, Morris had nothing to offer, not even the promise of work ethic or position. He was useless before marriage, he would've remained useless after marriage.

No one of any time period (even now) would have anything admirable to say about a man like that.

[–] first-things-first 8 years ago

I see your point. And I agree that they may have smiled in his face but talked about him behind his back. I mistook the society's rules for men as acceptance of any behavior.

And what fresh Hell is this?, Malory from Archer(Dorothy Parker)

[–] Forlorn_Rage 8 years ago

I mistook the society's rules for men as acceptance of any behavior.

I don't think you're mistaken.

Scarily enough, Society can and does forgive almost "any behaviour" if he's rich enough or has prestigious enough reputation. Hell, look at cases like OJ Simpson or Brock Turner who get away with rape and murder with barely a slap on the wrists because of their "Golden Boy" reputation.

[–] EmilyTheDramaQueen 10 years ago

There would have been children but also several mistresses on Morris' part in which Catherine would have turned a blind eye to which is something women did back in those days anyway

"That was the sickest thing I've seen on TV, and I watch Dance Moms"

[–] mimosa_mirabella 9 years ago

Each poster on this thread deserves a compliment. Because everybody got it right about Morris. That's not usually the case when a character in a film is being analysed! 😀

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[–] ancadraghici 9 years ago

You are quite the romantic. First, in the movie, they made Morris less cruel than he was in the novel and play. Second, Austin would have died shortly before or after their marriage. So Morris would have had the freedom to do whatever he wanted. He wouldn't have to act because Austin would have been dead, thus he didn't have to prove that he wasn't after Catherine's money.
Morris never helped her sister with money. He spent it all partying in Europe. So we can assume that he wouldn't care about the financial needs of Catherine. He will control the money.
Eventually, Catherine would have discovered that Morris didn't love her for herself, but he only wanted the money. I can't Believe that he would continue to be kind, attentive, passionate about her after the wedding. She was not at all attractive (remember how that men at the party left her alone?)and he would take a mistress. Catherine would have been miserable knowing that and would have hated herself for being so naive.
Morris was no entrepreneur. He liked to spend money, not making them. He did not have any kind of business idea.

[–] misd-86934 8 years ago

He would have cheated on her time and again and spent all of her money, possibly running off with her money once he finally found someone that he really loved.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TopFlight 8 years ago

Actually, according to Jane Austen, being an unmarried rich woman was perfectly fine, even in the 1700s. The humiliating thing was to be unmarried and poor.

[–] mdonln 8 years ago

TopFlight says > Actually, according to Jane Austen, being an unmarried rich woman was perfectly fine, even in the 1700s. The humiliating thing was to be unmarried and poor.

I assume Austen would have been referring to life in England. Due to the inheritance laws there it would have been much harder for a woman to have great wealth but sometimes it happened; especially if she had no living male relatives. A rich woman, probably of any age, would still have a lot of prospects.

One of the titled but poor aristocrats or any of their younger brothers, who were ineligible to inherit anything, would have probably snapped her up; assuming she wanted to marry. A lot of rich, unmarried American women made their way to England for that reason. They could be sure to find a husband and get a title to boot. Even today, that continues to happen.

Who knows what it was like in the U.S. but I can't imagine it being humiliating to be rich or poor. I do suspect however that most unmarried women would have preferred to be married. Marriage, probably more than money, would have been the ticket to a better, more interesting, and more fulfilling life.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] best_of 8 years ago

If they got married they would have lived happily ever after. Olivia was loaded with or without her father's 20k per year. Monty did not have a pot to piss in. Olivia would have gladly bankrolled whatever Monty was interested in, since she was totally innocent about men in the first place. Monty probably would have ended up a drunk and maybe fooled around, but Olivia would probably stuck by him. Throw in a kid or two and it would have been a typical movie. But I guess we'll never know.

[–] mdonln 8 years ago

best_of says > If they got married they would have lived happily ever after.

In considering the OP's question I have been going back and forth. Ultimately, I think the outcome of their marriage would have depended on how well Morris could keep up the facade. Catherine would have been determined to be a devoted and loving wife and it wouldn't have taken much to keep her happy.

If Morris played his cards right they could have both gotten exactly what they wanted and, by all appearance the marriage would have been successful. It's true Morris was after Catherine's money but even after she was warned she still wanted to marry him. He knew that so he would have needed to behave as he always had in her presence; pretending to be a decent person; treating her well; telling her what she wanted to her; and proclaiming his love.

Away from her was where he had faltered before. Within the marriage that probably would have been the same. He would have tried to maintain a secret life; doing whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted but he would have had to be careful.

Catherine's money was described in terms of a yearly amount as opposed to a lump sum payment. In all likelihood it would have been paid out to her alone since the wills were made prior to her marriage. As long as Morris kept treating her well and behaving like a loving husband, Catherine would have given him whatever he wanted. She wouldn't have cared how much he was spending and would probably have even lived a hand-to-mouth existence with him until her next distribution.

However, if he started to slip up in his treatment of her or if she started hearing rumors of other women and he was causing her public embarrassment; especially while also spending lavishly, it's likely Catherine would have come to her senses and cut him off.

They probably would have stayed married because it's unlikely Morris would have granted her a divorce without some kind of scandal. Morris would have wanted to stay where he was. He had tasted life without money and would have done anything to avoid going there again. As long as he stayed in the house he could at least expect to live a comfortable life.

Catherine would probably have allowed it because the alternative would be to pay him off and send him on his way. Knowing Morris he would have squandered whatever he got and returned looking for more. Under the scenario I described above they would have had children. Catherine would want to protect them, their family name, and their future. If she kept giving Morris money there would have been less of it for her children's inheritance. They sure wouldn't have gotten anything from him.

I started off saying it would have depended on Morris but maybe Catherine had the better hand. This is why I go back and forth. Had she realized the leverage she had over him, she could have kept him in line and maintained control of her money. Even after he came groveling back years after standing her up she could have married him and had the life she wanted. As long as she didn't mind having a lap dog for a husband she would have had him and her revenge on him as well. There's nothing he could do. That might have made her happy.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]