Heathcliff, Briarcliffe, An Evening with Wuthering Heights

"Wuthering Heights" 1939 with Lawrence Olivier & Merle Oberon


Last night was Wuthering Heights night on TCM.  Of course I watched it and loved it.  I thought of Maud and Nora who went to see the film in Toronto when it was released in 1939.  Maud must have been distracted during this film or perhaps she just expected too much.  The film is a lovely classic now.  Merle's clothes and Lawrence Olivier's perfect carriage and delivery are something to watch over and over again.  Yes, Maud was distracted on the evening that she watched this film.  There was more to it than what she had to say about it:

Tuesday, May 16,1939
....Today was a lovely day and I went down town in the morning with S.  Met Nora.  We had lunch together and went to see Wuthering Heights.  A fine picture--very sad--but lacking the lightning-lit power of the book.
THE SELECTED JOURNALS OF LM MONTGOMERY, VOL V. P. 334, RUBIO & WATERSTON 
__________________________________

I am still feeling a strong desire to return to the "Island" but not to Cavendish!!  There is a little stately Bed and Breakfast in Bedeque that seems to be calling my name.  What is drawing me there??

Wanting to go back...

A photo of Maud's mother at Park Corner

Although I was so very glad to get "home" from my trip to Canada I am now experiencing the most intense desire to go back!!  I especially would like to see again the sleepy little town of Bedeque.  There is a sweet looking Bed & Breakfast there that seems to be calling my name.

It's strange that I did not feel bonded with Cavendish, and though I tried very hard, I did not even get a whiff of Maud there (except on the Cavendish Shore--but only slightly then.)

Food is a problem because I am vegetarian.  One really has to dine in Charlottetown when one is a vegetarian and visiting the Island.

What is calling me back there????

"The Gulls" a poem by Lucy Maud Montgomery

"The Gulls"

I
Soft is the sky in the mist-kirtled east,
Light is abroad on the sea,
All of the heaven with silver is fleeced,
Holding the sunrise in fee.
Lo! with a flash and uplifting of wings
Down where the long ripples break,
Cometh a bevy of glad-hearted things,
'Tis morn, for the gulls are awake.

II
Slumberous calm on the ocean and shore
Comes with the turn of the tide;
Never a strong-sweeping pinion may soar,
Where the tame fishing-boats ride!
Far and beyond in blue deserts of sea
Where the wild winds are at play,
There may the spirits of sea-birds be free­
'Tis noon, for the gulls are away.


III

Over the rim of the sunset is blown
Sea-dusk of purple and gold,
Speed now the wanderers back to their own,
Wings the most tireless must fold.
Homeward together at twilight they flock,
Sated with joys of the deep
Drowsily huddled on headland and rock­
'Tis night, for the gulls are asleep.

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Photos by R Osterhus, New Bern, NC