The Courtneys of Curzon Street

The Courtneys of Curzon Street

Year: 1947

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: English

Director: Herbert Wilcox

RomanceDrama

On New Year’s Eve 1899, Edward Courtney, the son of a baronet, shockingly becomes engaged to Kate, the household maid, inciting scandal among London’s elite. The saga then tracks the Courtney family across four generations, portraying love, loss, separations and triumphs, while members serve in the Boer War, the First World War and the Second World War.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Courtneys of Curzon Street (1947)

Trace every key event in The Courtneys of Curzon Street (1947) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Edward and Kate wed despite class boundaries

Edward Courtney, heir to a baronetcy, marries Kate, his Irish servant, shocking the class-conscious society of early 1900s London. They settle on Curzon Street in Mayfair and begin their life together under constant scrutiny. The union sets the stage for a forty-five year saga of love, pride, and resilience.

1900s Curzon Street, Mayfair, London
2

Kate faces social ostracism at a recital

At a musical recital before Queen Victoria, Kate endures the cold stares and whispered judgments of the so-called true ladies. The event foreshadows the social penalties that threaten their marriage. Gossip and class prejudice shadow their early years together.

1900s London
3

Edward cannot wave to Kate on duty; she leaves

Edward, an officer in the Horse Guards, cannot return Kate’s wave as he salutes on duty, deepening a rift between them. Frustrated and misread, Kate packs her bags and goes back to Ireland. She decides to reinvent herself as an actress under the stage name May Lynton.

1900s London; Ireland
4

Edward travels to India and learns the truth

Edward journeys to India and confronts the personal reasons behind Kate’s departure. He learns that social conventions and pride within his circle contributed to the rift. The distance tests their bond and sets up the long separation to come.

1900s India
5

Kate forges a new life on the theatre stage

Kate takes up singing in the theatre and pursues a career under the alias May Lynton. She builds independence and a distinct identity apart from Edward. Her performances signal a shift from domestic life to artistic ambition.

1900s Ireland
6

Backstage visit reveals family losses

Edward’s father-in-law visits backstage and shares news of his wife’s death, reflecting a family steeped in sorrow. Kate responds with talk of her own losses, including her father’s death at Spion Kop. The conversation deepens their shared sense of sacrifice.

Early 1910s Backstage, theatre
7

World War I begins; a family reunion

The First World War erupts, and Edward returns from India to reunite with Kate. They learn they have a son, Teddy, and visit him at his boarding school, sharing high tea and discussing cricket and Rupert Brooke’s poem The Soldier. The war’s shadow frames their fragile family union.

1914-1918 England (boarding school); home
8

Edward inherits the baronetcy; Kate becomes Lady Courtney

After the war, Edward’s father dies and he inherits the baronetcy, making Kate Lady Courtney. Teddy grows older, joins the Army, and becomes engaged to a fiancée who will later be his wife before he’s posted to India. The family’s social standing is reaffirmed even as personal journeys continue.

Post-World War I (1918-1920s) Curzon Street; England
9

Teddy’s marriage and a fatal telegram

Teddy marries before being posted to India; a telegram arrives announcing his death in action. His pregnant wife dies in childbirth, leaving behind their infant son, whom Edward and Kate raise. The couple becomes grandparents by circumstance, not just by blood.

1920s India; England
10

The 1929 crash tests the family finances

Edward suffers a heavy financial blow in the 1929 Wall Street crash, but the couple clings to their home through hard times. Kate returns to the stage to help support the family, proving the durability of their partnership. The era’s economic turmoil mirrors their personal resilience.

1929 London
11

World War II and renewed public life

In the Second World War, Edward serves again as a Colonel while Kate works as an ENSA entertainer. They survive a factory fire, a peril that tests their endurance and loyalty. Their experience reflects a nation at war and a marriage matured by decades of change.

1939-1945 England
12

A new generation and fading old prejudices

Their soldier grandson introduces his intended, signaling a shift away from the rigid class prejudices that once haunted their marriage. While the old hierarchies fade, some of the new generation’s parents remain wary. The film closes on a note of cautious optimism about love and social progress.

Post-World War II London

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:36

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The Courtneys of Curzon Street Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Courtneys of Curzon Street

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