The Proud Valley (1940)

In a Welsh coal mining valley, a young man with a beautiful singing voice is called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice when a pit disaster threatens.

Director:

Pen Tennyson

Writers:

Alfredda Brilliant (story), Louis Golding,

Stars:

Paul Robeson, Edward Chapman, Simon Lack

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Paul Robeson	...	David Goliath
Edward Chapman	...	Dick Parry
Simon Lack	...	Emlyn Parly
Rachel Thomas	...	Mrs Parry
Dilys Thomas	...	Dilys
Edward Rigby	...	Bert
Janet Johnson	...	Gwen Owen
Charles Williams	...	Evans
Jack Jones	...	Thomas
Dilys Davies	...	Mrs Owen
Clifford Evans	...	Seth Jones
Allan Jeayes	...	Mr Trevor
George Merritt	...	Mr. Lewis
Edward Lexy	...	Commissionaire

Storyline

In a Welsh coal mining valley, a young man with a beautiful singing voice is called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice when a pit disaster threatens.

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Plot Keywords:

ealing | wales | labor union

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 1940 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Tunnel

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

CAPAD, Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist (1979)

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Soundtracks

"O God, Our Help in Ages Past"
(uncredited)
Music by William Croft
Words by Isaac Watts
Arranged by Ernest Irving

User Reviews

Another Paul Robeson gem

Paul Robeson. The mere mention of the name evokes images of the consummate performer, a Da Vinci of the stage and screen, a presence fully deserving of admiration. Yet, despite his exemplary talent and popularity, his list of movies is pathetically small, which can be attributed to two factors - racism and politics. How sad because Paul Robeson was undoubtedly one of the major figures in U. S. entertainment history and if one wants to know why, one just has to watch the movie Proud Valley, directed by Pen Tennyson. Here Paul Robeson plays a role that transcends the ludicrously ridiculous racial stereotypes that Hollywood wanted Mr. Robeson to play. Imagine for a moment, my friends, Paul Robeson playing a shuffling, mumbling sycophant. An outrage! Yet this is exactly the kind of silly roles that Hollywood would have had Mr. Robeson play if he had so chosen. That he starred in such movies as Show Boat and The Emperor Jones was due in large part to the fact that these films were directed by British directors who truly appreciated Mr. Robeson's talents. In Proud Valley, Robeson delivers an outstanding performance as a miner who makes the ultimate sacrifice so that others may live. The story may seem contrived, but it isn't. The movie is neither sensationalistic or melodramatic. Rather it presents in a straightforward way a story that the audience can understand, appreciate and applaud due in a large measure to the presence of one of truly legendary giants of American stage and screen, Paul Robeson.