The Song of Songs

Year: 1933

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Rouben Mamoulian

DramaRomance

After her father’s death, Lily moves to the city to live with her strict aunt. By day she works in the aunt’s bookstore; by night she slips across the street to pose for Richard, a sculptor, and they fall deeply in love. Meanwhile, Baron von Merzbach, a patron of Richard, becomes fascinated with Lily, harboring motives that are far from pure.

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The Song of Songs (1933) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Song of Songs (1933), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

An innocent peasant girl, Lily, Marlene Dietrich is bereft of family after the death of her elderly father. Her aunt, Mrs. Rasmussen, Alison Skipworth, who owns a book shop, reluctantly takes in Lily, but treats her more as a servant than as a niece. The naturally affectionate girl attracts the attention of a local sculptor, Brian Aherne who flirts with her and invites her to his atelier, suggesting she pose for him. Lily demurs, but suffering under the ill-willed scrutiny of her aunt, she reconsiders and consents. In posing in the nude for Richard she discovers her womanhood, and incidentally, falls in love with the penurious artist. The artist finds himself ill-equipped to respond fully to Lily’s overwhelming passion for him.

A suitor appears in the form of the wealthy Baron von Merzbach, Lionel Atwill. A patron of Mrs. Rasmussen’s book shop, he schemes to take Lily to his estate and make her his mistress, under the fiction that the mostly illiterate girl will serve as his secretary. The aunt accepts a cash bargain from the Baron, and casts her out. Lily flees to Robert’s studio with the Baron in pursuit. To her dismay Richard hands her over to the Baron, believing she may be better off with a man who can provide for her.

The Baron becomes infatuated with Lily and marries her, but expels her from his estate when, in despair, she attempts to seduce the Baron’s riding master.

By chance, Richard encounters Lily, now working in a Berlin cabaret. She blames him for her degraded existence, but cynically praises him for disabusing her of her illusions, and allowing her to escape her naiveté and embrace the harsh realities of life. Remorsefully, Richard invites Lily to return to his studio. There she is confronted with the now completed marble statue she first posed for in her girlhood, an image of unspoiled innocence. In a calculated rage, she smashes the figure to pieces. After this catharsis, Lily and Richard reconcile and establish a genuine union.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:39

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Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a love triangle involving an artist, their muse or lover, and a wealthy or powerful patron. The patron's desire is often possessive and morally questionable, creating a conflict between genuine creative passion and the corrupting influence of money or status. The narrative explores the ensuing emotional damage and moral compromises.

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