Daisy Kenyon

Daisy Kenyon

Year: 1947

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Otto Preminger

DramaRomanceMoving relationship storiesEnduring stories of family and marital dramaPassion and romance

A Manhattan commercial artist, Daisy Kenyon, is involved in an affair with the domineering, successful lawyer Dan O’Mara, who also has a family. She later meets war veteran Peter Lapham, and despite a tentative courtship, she chooses to marry him, even though her heart still belongs to Dan.

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Timeline & Setting – Daisy Kenyon (1947)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Daisy Kenyon (1947). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-1940s, post-World War II

The events occur in the immediate postwar era, a time of shifting gender roles and social mores. The characters' lives intersect against a backdrop of urban nightlife, courtship, and domestic strain. The aftermath of the war informs the ambitions and emotional stakes of the leads.

Location

Manhattan, Cape Cod, Stork Club (New York)

The story unfolds primarily in Manhattan, capturing the pulse of postwar urban life where a commercial artist navigates romance and ambition. Key scenes also take place at New York's Stork Club, a hub of social climbing and adult encounters. Daisy retreats to Cape Cod for quiet reflection, providing a backdrop of seaside isolation and emotional stakes.

🗽 Manhattan 🌊 Cape Cod 🏙 New York City

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:03

Main Characters – Daisy Kenyon (1947)

Meet the key characters of Daisy Kenyon (1947), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Daisy Kenyon (Joan Crawford)

A Manhattan commercial artist who becomes entangled in a love triangle between Dan O'Mara and Peter Lapham. Independent, sharp, and emotionally cautious, she weighs passion against stability as she moves toward a decision that will define her future.

💃 Independent 💔 Love triangle 🤔 Pragmatic

Dan O'Mara (Dana Andrews)

A successful, arrogant lawyer and Daisy's lover who is married with two children. He wields charm and control, yet his infidelity and manipulative tactics strain his marriage and threaten the happiness he pretends to defend.

💼 Ambitious 💢 Controlling 🎭 Charismatic

Peter Lapham (Henry Fonda)

A widowed war veteran whose moods swing between quiet sorrow and exuberant warmth. He loves Daisy but is haunted by his past and the memory of his wife, shaping his gentleness and stubbornness.

🕊 Gentle 💪 Reserved 🧭 Loyal

Lucille O'Mara (Ruth Warrick)

Dan's wife, a formidable presence in the marriage who uses the prospect of divorce and custody as leverage. She embodies the tension between passion, resentment, and the desire to control.

💔 Bitter 🧭 Calculating 🎭 Dramatic

Rosamund O'Mara (Peggy Ann Garner)

The couple's daughter, a child witness to adult conflicts, whose presence adds emotional stakes to the custody subplot.

👧 Child 🧭 Innocent 💡 Witness

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:03

Major Themes – Daisy Kenyon (1947)

Explore the central themes of Daisy Kenyon (1947), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and loyalty

Daisy finds herself torn between her longtime lover Dan and the war-veteran Peter, highlighting loyalty versus desire. The love triangle tests honesty, commitment, and the true meaning of happiness. The resolution hinges on Daisy's ability to choose authenticity over social convenience.

💪 Postwar independence

Daisy's career as a commercial artist and her agency in choosing her partners reflect a broader shift for women after the war. The film probes autonomy within romance, marriage, and social expectation. It portrays a woman who asserts her own needs even as she navigates complex relationships.

⚖️ Marriage, divorce, and custody

The plot centers on marital strife and the leverage used in divorce proceedings, including custody of the children. Dan's attempts to control the narrative clash with Daisy's desire for autonomy and fairness. The legal and emotional maneuvers reveal the power dynamics within relationships.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:03

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Daisy Kenyon Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Daisy Kenyon, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Daisy Kenyon Summary

Daisy Kenyon Timeline

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Daisy Kenyon Timeline

More About Daisy Kenyon

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Daisy Kenyon (1947) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Daisy Kenyon (1947) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Daisy Kenyon (1947) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow