She has a vivacious and brilliant mind, her poetry is frequently published, and she loves fooling around with her siblings, especially her youngest sister, Henrietta (Maureen O'Sullivan). Her stern father Edward (Charles Laughton), however, wastes no opportunity to remind Elizabeth that she is near death. He seems, perversely, determined to keep her confined, and contravenes the doctors' orders if they conflict with his own feelings. His abusive tyranny over his offspring (three daughters and six sons) is so complete that none dare to defy him. Henrietta is interested in marrying her brothers' friend Surtees (Ralph Forbes), who has a promising career in the military, but she cannot see any way around her insanely possessive father, who has forbidden any of his children to marry, for reasons they do not understand.