The Great Garrick (1937)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

James Whale

Writer:

Ernest Vajda (play)

Release Date:

30 October 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot Keywords:

Revenge | Countess | London England | Paris France | Gunfire

Cast

Brian Aherne	...	David Garrick
Olivia de Havilland	...	Germaine de la Corbe
Edward Everett Horton	...	Tubby
Melville Cooper	...	M. W. Picard
Lionel Atwill	...	M. Beaumarchais
Luis Alberni	...	Luis Basset
Lana Turner	...	Mlle. Auber
Marie Wilson	...	Mlle. Nicolle
Linda Perry	...	Mlle. Molee
Fritz Leiber	...	Horatio in 'Hamlet'
Etienne Girardot	...	Jean Cabot
Dorothy Tree	...	Mme. Moreau
Craig Reynolds	...	M. Janin
Paul Everton	...	M. Dulac
Trevor Bardette	...	M. Noverre

Also Known As:

Ladies and Gentlemen (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone) | Black and White (Turner library print)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #3496)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The play opened in London, England, UK on 18 May 1937.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale (1999) (V)

Soundtrack:

La Marseillaise

delightful comedy

Brian Aherne is the great actor David Garrick in "The Great Garrick," directed by James Whale and costarring Olivia DeHavilland. The actress was 21 years old when this film was released. The Comedy Francaise, insulted by comments made by Garrick about working with them, decides to give him a night in a French inn he won't ever forget. Knowing he will stop there en route to Paris, the head of the company rents the place for the day, dismissing the staff. The company take roles as maids, waiters, servants, etc. in a play written for the occasion by Beaumarchis, full of love triangles, duels, a crazy man, and lots of noise. What they don't know is that the old prompter, who once worked with Garrick, has gone ahead and warned him of what is to happen. One other thing they're not counting on is the appearance of another guest (DeHavilland) besides Garrick. Garrick, however, thinks she's part of the troupe.

This is a witty, well done comedy. Aherne, an accomplished Shakespearean actor, is great as the egomaniacal Garrick. He was equally good in "Merrily We Live," but for some reason, stopped getting the showy roles, possibly because of Errol Flynn. Edward Everett Horton is excellent as his manservant. The supporting cast, including Lionel Atwill, Melville Cooper, Fritz Leiber, and Marie Wilson are all wonderful. Lana Turner has a tiny role as one of the maids. Olivia DeHavilland is luminously beautiful in a true ingénue role, done before Warners realized what a wonderful actress they had in her.

Very entertaining, and a good chance to see a very young DeHavilland and Aherne shine.