The Bridges of Madison County earlier about "the dreams of a woman named Francesca," gave him the idea for the novella, which was completed in eleven days. After he had written "Bridges", Waller came to believe that he had based the character of Francesca Johnson on his wife, Georgia, whom Francesca physically resembles. According to Marc Eliot, Waller's novella is a modernization of the Noël Coward play "Still Life" (1934), which was adapted into David Lean's film "Brief Encounter" (1945). "Still Life" is about 'the desperation, guilt, and temptations of two married people who meet, fall in love, commit adultery, and then separate forever." In
The Enchanted Cottage (1945 film) to Robert Young, her character had similar costumes that were well tailored. The film was released in April 1945. Not all the critics were enthusiastic. Writing for "The New York Times", critic Bosley Crowther said Other critics chose to overlook the sentimentality of the plot and focus on the overall message. Jeremy Arnold wrote that The film made a profit of $881,000. The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: "The Enchanted Cottage" was adapted as a radio play on the September 3, 1945 broadcast of "Lux Radio Theater" with Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire reprising their