The longest running case In New York County's Surrogate Court is the one about
recent tycoon George Brent has going against the Gaylord sisters who were all
quite young when their mom was lost in the Titanic and their dad killed in World
War I. Now another World War is happening and the grownup sisters Barbara
Stanwyck, Geraldine Fitzgerald, and Nancy Coleman.
Stanwyck and Brent have some serious if secret history and a product of said
history is young Larry Simms. The two can't stand each other though obviously at one time they could.
A subplot involves Nancy Coleman and Geraldine Fitzgerald fighting over Gig
Young. He's a modern artist keeping company with Coleman. Fitzgerald went
over to Great Britain and married a title. Her husband is MIA with the Royal
Air Force and she's come back to America.
Gig Young who was born Byron Barr apparently liked the character name and
took it for his own. He got his first real notice in The Gay Sisters. It certainly
worked for him.
Originally this was assigned to Bette Davis, but she rejected it the brothers
Warner went outside the studio for Barbara Stanwyck. It's a great part for
Stanwyck as she shows a whole range of emotions here. Gene Lockhart has
a great part as a weasel of an attorney ready to sell out the Gaylords. He was
so good in those type parts.
The Gay Sisters is a fine bit of drama that holds up well after over 70 years.