The Duke of Choiseul-Praslin: A Real-Life Hollywood Mystery in All This and Heaven Too
Discover “All This and Heaven Too” (1940), the classic historical drama starring Bette Davis & Charles Boyer, based on a true French scandal.
The Duke of Choiseul-Praslin was a French nobleman who shocked society when he was accused of murdering his wife, the Duchess of Choiseul-Praslin, in 1847. His sensational story was immortalized in the 1940 film All This and Heaven Too, with Charles Boyer in the role of the Duke.
Born on June 28, 1805, Charles Laure Hugues Théobald was a respected nobleman and a leader of France’s National Guard. At 19, he married Fanny Altarice Rosalba, with whom he had 10 children. The marriage, initially harmonious, began to deteriorate around 1840 when the Duke started having extramarital affairs. Fanny, feeling abandoned, lived in constant conflict with her husband.
The Tragic Murder and Investigation
The tragedy occurred on the night of August 17, 1847, when Fanny was brutally stabbed to death. Her body showed signs of a struggle, including bites and scratches. The Duke immediately became the prime suspect, especially after police found a blood-stained dagger in his room and burned clothing in the chimney. A loaded pistol was also discovered, suggesting he might have planned to shoot his wife.
One of the key reasons for the marital discord was the hiring of the governess Henriette Deluzy-Desportes, responsible for caring for the children. Fanny accused Henriette of alienating her children from her and of having an affair with her husband, leading to the governess’s dismissal just weeks before the crime.
The Duke was arrested and placed under house arrest. Seven days after being transferred to Luxembourg Prison, he was found dead, having committed suicide by ingesting poison. He maintained his innocence until his final breath. With his death, the case was dismissed, and Henriette was freed. She subsequently moved to the United States, where she married Henry M. Field.
All This and Heaven Too: A Classic Hollywood Adaptation
In 1938, the story gained new life with the book All This and Heaven Too, written by Rachel Field, Henriette’s grandniece. Two years later, the book was adapted into the classic film All This and Heaven Too, directed by Anatole Litvak. The stellar cast featured Charles Boyer as the Duke, Bette Davis as Henriette, and Barbara O’Neil as the Duchess.
The film was a major Warner Bros. production, boasting opulent costumes designed by Orry-Kelly and a staggering 67 different sets, a record for its time. Bette Davis wore 37 dresses, each reportedly costing around $1,000, while Charles Boyer wore a corset to enhance his posture. The production, initially over four hours long, was cut in half for theatrical release.
Enduring Mystery and Legacy
The case of the Duke of Choiseul-Praslin remains one of France’s most famous unsolved mysteries. Rumors persist that he may have faked his own death and escaped to Nicaragua, where he allegedly remarried and lived until 1882. Furthermore, the sensational nature of the case is believed to have contributed to the Revolution of 1848, which questioned the privileges of the nobility.
Curiously, Charles Boyer, who portrayed the Duke, met a similarly tragic end to his character. On August 26, 1978, he committed suicide after his wife’s death, by ingesting a lethal dose of poison. The enduring mystery and dramatic elements of this true story continue to captivate audiences and serve as a fascinating chapter in classic Hollywood history.
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