Four Mothers

Four Mothers

Year: 1941

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: William Keighley

RomanceDrama

Four Daughters… Four Wives… and now Four married sisters face motherhood, financial, marital and family issues together.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Four Mothers (1941)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Four Mothers (1941). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

Set in the 1930s, during the Great Depression era in the United States, the film depicts economic hardship, regional movements, and a community rallying to rebuild after a natural disaster. The era’s social and financial strains shape the characters’ choices, from seeking work in cities to relocating homes. Cultural events, like the Beethoven Festival, provide a sense of continuity and aspiration amid uncertainty.

Location

Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles), Chicago, Lemp Acres

The story moves from a small-town setting to the Beethoven Music Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Chicago serves as a backdrop for Felix and Kay’s pursuit of urban opportunities, reflecting the era’s mobility. Lemp Acres represents the family’s attempt to rebuild and relocate their home and business, turning a disaster into a new community project.

🎭 Film Locations 🏙️ Urban & Rural Settings 🏡 New Development

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:26

Main Characters – Four Mothers (1941)

Meet the key characters of Four Mothers (1941), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Adam Lemp (Claude Rains)

The family patriarch and town pillar who navigates financial ruin after the hurricane. He embodies dignity, tradition, and steady leadership, guiding his family toward a communal revival. His conduct at the Beethoven Festival underscores his role as a unifying figure for the community. By the end, the town’s support helps restore the family’s standing as the old house moves to Lemp Acres.

👨‍👨‍👧 Family 🏛️ Community leader 🎶 Music

Kay Lemp Forrest (Rosemary Lane)

The childless daughter who chafes at her husband’s long work hours and pursues independence in Chicago. She attempts a radio career to stabilize the family’s finances but ultimately returns home, where personal life and family duties converge. Her arc includes a forthcoming pregnancy, marking a new phase for the Lemp family.

👩‍💼 Career 🧭 Independence 👪 Family

Felix Deitz (Jeffrey Lynn)

The son-in-law who travels to Chicago to conduct an orchestra, chasing artistic ambition amid financial strain. His career moves reflect the lure of city life and cultural prestige. The pursuit of success tests loyalties but also offers a path back to the family’s common ground.

🎼 Music 💼 Ambition 🗺️ Travel

Ann Lemp Deitz (Priscilla Lane)

Another Lemp daughter and Felix’s wife, who shares in the family’s challenges and supports the effort to stabilize their fortunes. Her role emphasizes domestic resilience and partnership within a tight-knit clan. Her presence helps anchor the family amid upheaval.

👩‍👧 Family 💑 Marriage

Emma Lemp Talbot (Gale Page)

A Lemp sister who helps shoulder family duties as the community confronts economic and social pressures. She contributes to the emotional and practical balance needed to keep the family cohesive. Her stance reinforces the value of familial solidarity during hard times.

👩‍👧 Family 🎶 Music

Thea Lemp Crowley (Lola Lane)

Thea, another Lemp sister, anchors family ties and navigates the implications of marriage into the Crowley family. She reinforces the theme of extended kinship and shared responsibility. Her presence ties the diverse branches of the family together.

👩‍👧 Family 💍 Marriage

Ben Crowley (Frank McHugh)

The Lemp son-in-law whose out-of-state realty venture is ruined by the hurricane. His setback tests family bonds but also motivates the Lemps to rally around a local, communal project. He embodies risk and the hope of rebound through collective effort.

🏗️ Real estate 💼 Business

Dr. Clint Forrest, Jr. (Eddie Albert)

Kay’s husband, a laboratory researcher whose work leads him toward the Pneumoconiosis issue at the town’s smelting plant. His scientific concerns intersect with the town’s industrial reality, highlighting the cost of progress. His perspective adds a practical, problem-solving angle to the family drama.

🧬 Science 🏭 Industry

Aunt Etta (May Robson)

The matriarchal aunt who provides wisdom and stability within the family circle. She represents tradition and enduring affection, offering guidance as the family navigates upheaval. Her presence anchors the story’s emotional core.

👵 Family 🧵 Tradition

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:26

Major Themes – Four Mothers (1941)

Explore the central themes of Four Mothers (1941), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Family Resilience

The Lemp family bands together after the hurricane, transforming misfortune into a collective effort to rebuild. Trust, sacrifice, and shared purpose help the family navigate financial ruin and social pressure. The move to Lemp Acres embodies a renewed commitment to each other and to their town.

💰 Economic Struggle

A failed out-of-state venture and scarce local financing push characters toward unconventional fixes and local reinvestment. City-bound work in Chicago and radio attempts highlight the era’s precarious job market. The plot centers on how money pressures test relationships and drive the pursuit of stability.

🎶 Music & Ambition

Music serves as a beacon of cultural pride, with Adam conducting a major festival and Felix pursuing orchestral success. Artistic dreams provide meaning amid financial worry and social change. The family’s fortunes rise and fall in rhythm with these musical aspirations.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:26

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Four Mothers Summary

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Four Mothers Summary

Four Mothers Timeline

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Four Mothers Timeline

More About Four Mothers

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