The Tree of Liberty (1940)
"The Howards of Virginia" (original title)

The film is set in colonial Virginia between the 1750s and 1781. Matt Howard (Cary Grant), orphaned son of a backwoods Virginia farmer... See full synopsis »

Director:

Frank Lloyd

Writers:

Sidney Buchman (screenplay), Elizabeth Page (novel)

Stars:

Cary Grant, Martha Scott, Cedric Hardwicke

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cary Grant	...	Matt Howard
Martha Scott	...	Jane Peyton-Howard
Cedric Hardwicke	...	Fleetwood Peyton (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Alan Marshal	...	Roger Peyton
Richard Carlson	...	Thomas Jefferson
Paul Kelly	...	Capt. Jabez Allen
Irving Bacon	...	Tom Norton
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Aunt Clarissa (as Elizabeth Risdon)
Anne Revere	...	Mrs. Betsy Norton
Tom Drake	...	James Howard at 16 (as Richard Alden)
Phil Taylor	...	Peyton Howard at 18
Rita Quigley	...	Mary Howard at 17
Libby Taylor	...	Dicey
Richard Gaines	...	Patrick Henry
George Houston	...	George Washington

Storyline

The film is set in colonial Virginia between the 1750s and 1781. Matt Howard (Cary Grant), orphaned son of a backwoods Virginia farmer... See full synopsis »

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Plot Keywords:

loss of father | desertion | boston massachusetts | legislator | snobbery | 

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Taglines:

The Vivid Drama Of A Nation's Birth !

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Howard le révolté

Filming Locations:

Carter's Grove - 8797 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Frank Lloyd Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of James Westerfield.

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Goofs

During a scene where Matt Howard (Cary Grant) is in his room shaving, with shaving soap on his face, and having a conversation with Thomas Jefferson (Richard Carlson) - A knock on the door is heard - Fleetwood Peyton (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) enters, Matt Howard turns to Fleetwood and the shaving soap has disappeared from his face.

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Soundtracks

"Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes"
(1616) (uncredited)
Music by R. Melish (1780 ?)
Played in the score at the wedding

User Reviews

I couldn't watch the whole thing.

What a disappointment! I had never heard of this movie, but I love movies from the 30s-40s, enjoy watching Cary Grant, and find American Revolutionary history fascinating.

I give the producer credit for shooting exteriors on location -- but Cedric Hardwicke provided the only other pleasant surprise.(An over-the-top performance should be expected from a character named Fleetwood.)

Cary Grant was just horrible; as others have noted, he adopted a goofy accent and seemed to be on amphetamines; and he never should have been made to wear buckskins and a ponytail, for goodness sake. And poor, dull Martha Scott -- who could believe that she inspired such love and devotion after one meeting. Personally, I could have done without quite so much "Tom" Jefferson.

The plot was simplistic; the dialog mundane. I couldn't take it for the entire two hours.