Jane Eyre (1944)

In 1829, nine year-old orphan Jane Eyre (Peggy Ann Garner) is sent by her despicable aunt Mrs. Reed (Agnes Moorehead) to Lowood Institution, a charity school directed by the cruel and stingy Mr. Henry Brocklehurst (Henry Daniell). Jane is admitted to the boarding school on April 18, where she experiences a harsh childhood and loses her best friend Helen Burns (Dame Elizabeth Taylor). After ten years, she is hired by the master of Thornfield, Edward Rochester (Orson Welles), as the governess of his daughter, Adele Varens (Margaret O'Brien), and leaves Lowood. Jane (Joan Fontaine) moves to the manor and soon she feels an unrequited love by her master. Despite their different social classes, they become friends, but when Mr. Rochester throws Blanche Ingraham (Hillary Brooke) a party and invites her to stay in Thornfield Hall, Jane decides to find another job.