South Riding is a 1938 British drama film directed by Victor Saville and produced by Alexander Korda, starring Edna Best, Ralph Richardson, Edmund Gwenn and Ann Todd.[1] It was the film debut of a 14-year-old Glynis Johns.[2] It is based on the 1936 novel South Riding by Winifred Holtby. The BBC produced a TV adaptation in 2011.[3]
Plot
A squire becomes involved in local politics.[4]
Cast
- Edna Best as Sarah Burton
- Ralph Richardson as Robert Carne
- Edmund Gwenn as Alfred Huggins
- Ann Todd as Madge Carne
- Marie Lohr as Mrs. Beddows
- Milton Rosmer as Alderman Snaith
- John Clements as Joe Astell
- Edward Lexy as Mr. Holly
- Joan Ellum as Lydia Holly
- Glynis Johns as Midge Carne (her first film appearance and was the last surviving cast member)
- Josephine Wilson as Mrs. Holly
- Gus McNaughton as Tadman
- Herbert Lomas as Castle
- Peggy Novak as Bessie Warbuckle
- Lewis Casson as Lord Sedgmire
- Felix Aylmer as Chairman of Council
- Jean Cadell as Miss Dry
- Skelton Knaggs as Reginald Aythorne
Production
Hugh Stewart who edited it called it "one of the very best scripts ever written".[5]
Critical reception
TV Guide wrote, "Not an altogether satisfying love story, it is more interesting as a portrait of pre-WW II life in the country. Excellent sets by Meerson and well shot by Stradling";[6] while Time Out wrote, "Saville carries Winifred Holtby's tart, witty exposé of Yorkshire power politics to the screen with breathtaking, and totally unexpected, panache."[7] Leonard Maltin called it "Smoothly made and superbly acted by a flawless cast."[2]
References
- ^ "South Riding (1938) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ a b "South Riding (1938) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ "BBC One - South Riding". Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "BFI – Film & TV Database – CLEMENTS, John". Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Hugh Stewart". British Entertainment History Project. 22 November 1968.
- ^ "South Riding". TVGuide.com.
- ^ "South Riding".
External links
- South Riding at IMDb