Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

An aged teacher and former headmaster of a boarding school recalls his career and his personal life over the decades.

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

R.C. Sherriff (screen play), Claudine West (screen play),

Stars:

Robert Donat, Greer Garson, Terry Kilburn

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Donat	...	Mr. Chips
Greer Garson	...	Katherine
Terry Kilburn	...	John Colley / Peter Colley I / Peter Colley II / Peter Colley III
John Mills	...	Peter Colley - as a Young Man
Paul Henreid	...	Staefel (as Paul Von Hernried)
Judith Furse	...	Flora
Lyn Harding	...	Wetherby
Milton Rosmer	...	Chatteris
Frederick Leister	...	Marsham
Louise Hampton	...	Mrs. Wickett
Austin Trevor	...	Ralston
David Tree	...	Jackson
Edmund Breon	...	Colonel Morgan (as Edmond Breon)
Jill Furse	...	Helen Colley
Scott Sunderland	...	Sir John Colley

Storyline

An old classics teacher looks back over his long career, remembering pupils and colleagues, and above all the idyllic courtship and marriage that transformed his life.

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Plot Keywords:

headmaster | school | teacher | boarding school | love | 

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Taglines:

You Will Love Them in September As You Did in May

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Latin German

Release Date:

28 July 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Goodbye Mr. Chips!

Filming Locations:

Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Greer Garson was initially offered a contract for MGM in 1937, but refused all the minor parts she was offered until she got the role of Kathy Ellis in this film.

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Quotes

Katherine: I'm sorry, I wasn't in any danger.

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Connections

Referenced in Barney Miller: Good-Bye, Mr. Fish: Part 1 (1977)

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Soundtracks

"An der schönen blauen Donau Walzer (The Blue Danube Waltz) Op. 314"
(1867) (uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauß
Arranged by Richard Addinsell
Played as dance music and often in the score
Danced by Robert Donat with Greer Garson and other couples

User Reviews

Just A Super Nice Film....What Else Can You Say?

Here's another one of those old-fashioned movies in which people are all nice: no villains. It's a refreshing change of pace, once in a while, at least for me.

Sometimes it's relaxing just to just kick back with a story that just makes you feel good, doesn't upset you at any time. There are some touching scenes with some sadness in here, too, however, but the sincere story and great acting make you glad you watched it.

Robert Donat, as Mr. Chippings, is a pleasure to watch, particularly when he plays the character in his declining years. Greer Garson gets equal if not top billing, but that's not right. Her role is not that big in this picture.

Another nice feature you don't see much, at least in post-1960 films - all respectful kids in here, with manners. Nice adults, nice kids, nice story - probably too corny for most people of today in our cynical world. Too bad. Their loss.