Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society 2010
Step into the gilded salons of Newport, Rhode Island through the lens of *Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society* (2010), a quietly revealing documentary directed by David Bettencourt.
Director: David Bettencourt
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society* (2010) about?
This documentary offers an insider's view of Newport's historic high society during the Gilded Age, told through the life of Eileen Gillespie Slocum, a descendant of the influential Brown family. The film explores themes of privilege, tradition, and the quiet decline of an era that once defined American wealth and power.
Who directed *Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society*?
The film was directed by David Bettencourt, who brings a thoughtful and observant approach to chronicling the fading world of Newport's elite.
Who stars in *Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society*?
The documentary centers on Eileen Gillespie Slocum, one of the last grand dames of Newport's aristocracy, alongside archival insights into the city's historic Gilded Age figures.
Is *Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society* (2010) worth watching?
For fans of history, social documentary, or stories about America's Gilded Age, *Behind the Hedgerow* offers a rare and reflective look at a vanishing world. Though unrated, its thoughtful pacing and unique subject make it a compelling watch for those interested in the intersection of wealth, tradition, and time.
How long is *Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society*?
The documentary runs for 60 minutes, offering a concise yet immersive exploration of its subject.
Behind the Hedgerow (2010): Exploring Newport's Gilded Age Aristocracy — Full Info
Step into the gilded salons of Newport, Rhode Island through the lens of *Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society* (2010), a quietly revealing documentary directed by David Bettencourt. This 60-minute film peels back the velvet curtains on a vanishing world of old-money aristocracy that flourished during the Gilded Age, when names like Vanderbilt and Astor shaped the very landscape. At its heart is Eileen Gillespie Slocum, a last grand dame descended from the Brown family dynasty, who passed away in 2008 at age 92, carrying with her the manners, secrets, and unspoken rules of a way of life built behind towering hedgerows.
With intimacy and respect, the documentary captures the atmosphere of privilege, duty, and fading elegance that defined Newport's high society. Bettencourt crafts a contemplative portrait of a woman whose life spanned nearly a century of transformation, offering viewers a rare glimpse into a society that once thrived on exclusivity and tradition. The film is both a eulogy and an archive—preserving stories, etiquette, and the unspoken hierarchy of a world that may never return.