| Michael and Mary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Victor Saville |
| Written by | |
| Based on | Michael and Mary by A. A. Milne |
| Produced by | Michael Balcon |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Leslie Rowson |
| Edited by | Ian Dalrymple |
| Music by | Louis Levy |
| Production company | Gainsborough Pictures |
| Distributed by | Ideal Films Universal Pictures (US) |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Michael and Mary is a 1931 British drama film directed by Victor Saville and starring Elizabeth Allan, Edna Best, Frank Lawton, and Herbert Marshall. This was the first of the Edna Best and Herbert Marshall co-starring talkies. It was based on a play of the same name by A.A. Milne. Milne's story was adapted by Lajos Bíró,Robert Stevenson and Angus MacPhail. Produced by Gainsborough Pictures, it was shot at the company's Islington Studios in London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Alex Vetchinsky.
The play was first performed on 13 December 1929 at the Charles Hopkins Theatre in New York. It starred Henry Hull, Edith Barrett and Harry Beresford. It then transferred to the St James's Theatre in London's West End.
Plot
A young bride (Edna Best) is deserted by her husband (D. A. Clarke-Smith) but finds happiness with another man (Herbert Marshall). They contract a bigamous marriage for the sake of their child (Frank Lawton).
The first husband turns up and starts black-mailing them. During a quarrel with the second husband, he dies. After some complications, their son learns the truth, but stands by them.
Cast
- Herbert Marshall as Michael Rowe
- Edna Best as Mary Rowe
- Frank Lawton as David Rowe
- Elizabeth Allan as Romo
- D.A. Clarke-Smith as Harry Price
- Ben Field as Tullivant
- Margaret Yarde as Mrs. Tullivant
- Sunday Wilshin as Violet Cunliffe
Reception
The film was voted the third best British movie of 1932. With a shortened running time of 76 minutes, it was distributed in America by Universal Pictures.
Radio adaptation
Michael and Mary was presented on Hollywood Sound Stage 20 March 1952. The 30-minute adaptation starred Deborah Kerr and Herbert Marshall.
References
- Wood p.72
- ""SUNSHINE SUSIE"". The Daily News (HOME ed.). Perth. 19 August 1933. p. 19. Retrieved 4 March 2013 – via National Library of Australia.
- Kirby, Walter (16 March 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 44. Retrieved 23 May 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
Bibliography
- Cook, Pam. Gainsborough Pictures. Cassell, 1997.
- Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
- Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.
External links
| Films directed by Victor Saville | |
|---|---|
|
- 1931 films
- 1931 drama films
- British black-and-white films
- Films based on works by A. A. Milne
- Films directed by Victor Saville
- British drama films
- 1930s English-language films
- 1930s British films
- Gainsborough Pictures films
- British films based on plays
- Islington Studios films
- Universal Pictures films
- Films scored by Louis Levy