The Constant Nymph

What can be said about an impossibly lush, romantic film story that must end in tragedy? In THE CONSTANT NYMPH we have an older composer who is friend to a family of eccentrics living in the Alps. The father is also a famous composer. His children, all girls, are wild mountain nymphs. The young composer, Lewis Dodd, is especially drawn to Tessa, one of the daughters. But how can love between a man and a nymph succeed? After the old composer dies and his hag wife goes away, an uncle from Cambridge takes charge of the girls. The older ones marry right away, but the younger ones are put into a boarding school at the request of Florence, a cousin who is smitten with Lewis Dodd.

But Tessa and her sister run away from school and move in with Lewis after he has stupidly married the ambitious Florence. Florence and Tessa clash constantly and things come to a head during a disastrous party. Florence's dream of social success success are smashed after Lewis runs away with Tessa after the sensational debut of his new symphony. Can Lewis and Tessa find happiness together? The ethereal Mabel Poulton plays Tessa: a mountain nymph, a school girl, a muse. Ivor Novello is Lewis, a man confused by his love for a girl. Frances Doble plays the harsh Florence.Others in the cast include Mary Clare as the hag stepmother. Also Benita Hume and Elsa Lanchester.

Ivor Novello and Mabel Poulton were among the biggest stars of their time. Now, they are sadly forgotten. They make a splendid cinematic team. Neither one had much success in talkies.