Great Day is a 1945 British drama film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Eric Portman and Flora Robson.[2] It is based on the play of the same name by Lesley Storm.
| Great Day | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Lance Comfort |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | Great Day by Lesley Storm |
| Produced by | Victor Hanbury |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Erwin Hillier |
| Edited by | Sidney Stone |
| Music by | William Alwyn |
Production company | Victor Hanbury Productions |
| Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release dates | |
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
It was made at Denham Studios with location filming at various sites including Denham village. The film's sets were designed by the art director William C. Andrews. The film recorded a loss of £1,511.[3]
Plot
editThe small (fictional) English village of Denley is thrown into excitement by the impending 'surprise' visit of Eleanor Roosevelt. However, the family of the impoverished local squire, whose wife is the moving spirit of the local Women's Institute, is faced with several crises.
Margaret 'Meg' Ellis, their daughter, works as a Land Girl on a nearby farm. She is loved by the farm's owner, who is twice her age, but is reluctant to allow him to announce their engagement, as she is still being wooed by her former boyfriend, now an Army officer. The farmer's unmarried sister is openly bitter at the prospect of Meg becoming mistress of the property.
Captain John Ellis, her father, a decorated hero of the First World War and now a frustrated alcoholic, is arrested in a local pub for attempted theft of a ten shilling note to buy drinks. Released from custody later that evening, he cannot face the humiliation in his small community and wanders into the woods to commit suicide. His wife, realising what has happened, sends Margaret to talk to him. They convince him to face up to his problems and assure him that they love him. As Mrs Roosevelt arrives, John and his family take their place in the welcoming throng, with John proudly wearing his medal ribbons.
Cast
edit- Eric Portman as Captain John Ellis
- Flora Robson as Mrs Liz Ellis
- Sheila Sim as Margaret Ellis
- Isabel Jeans as Lady Mott
- Walter Fitzgerald as Bob Tyndale
- Philip Friend as Geoffrey Winthrop
- Marjorie Rhodes as Nora Mumford
- Maire O'Neill as Bridget Walsh
- John Laurie as Scottish officer
- Kathleen Harrison as Pub customer
- Leslie Dwyer as Pub customer
- Margaret Withers as Jane Tyndale
- Beatrice Varley as Miss Tracy
- Irene Handl as Tea stall lady
- Patricia Hayes as Mrs Beadle
- Jacqueline Clarke
- Norman Pierce
- Pauline Tennant
- John McLaren
- Joan Maud
- Ivor Barnard
- Valentine Dunn
- O. B. Clarence
- Jean Shepeard (as Jean Shepherd)
- David Ward
- Roy Malcolm
Reception
editThe Variety review states that it "has much to commend it, yet is not wholly satisfying ... Sheila Sim is fresh and natural ... Flora Robson and Eric Portman are excellent as the worried parents ... Makes pleasant entertainment of the second-feature class."[4]
References
edit- ^ a b "Great Day: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ^ "Great Day". Archived from the original on 13 January 2009.
- ^ Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p212
- ^ "Great Day". Variety. 2 May 1945. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
External links
edit
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