Major Barbara (1941)

A young and idealistic woman, who has adopted the Salvation Army and whose father is an armament industrialist, will save more souls directing her father's business. A comedy with social commentary.

Director:

Gabriel Pascal

Writers:

George Bernard Shaw (original play), George Bernard Shaw (scenario and dialogue),

Stars:

Wendy Hiller, Rex Harrison, Robert Morley

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Wendy Hiller	...	Major Barbara Undershaft
Rex Harrison	...	Adolphus Cusins
Robert Morley	...	Andrew Undershaft
Robert Newton	...	Bill Walker
Sybil Thorndike	...	The General
Emlyn Williams	...	Snobby Price
Marie Lohr	...	Lady Britomart
Penelope Dudley-Ward	...	Sarah Undershaft
Walter Hudd	...	Stephen Undershaft
David Tree	...	Charles Lomax
Deborah Kerr	...	Jenny Hill
Donald Calthrop	...	Peter Shirley
Marie Ault	...	Rummy Mitchens
Cathleen Cordell	...	Mog Habbijam
Torin Thatcher	...	Todger Fairmile

Storyline

A young and idealistic woman, who has adopted the Salvation Army and whose father is an armament industrialist, will save more souls directing her father's business. A comedy with social commentary.

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Plot Keywords:

salvation army | reference to napoleon | manufacturer | father son relationship | father daughter relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 1941 (UK)

Also Known As:

Axiomatikos Barbara

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gabriel Pascal Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is Deborah Kerr's first credited movie role.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 35 mins) Just before she scolds her husband for addressing her as "Biddy", a boom mic shadow passes over the lace trim on the bosom of Lady Britomart's (Marie Lohr) gown.

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Quotes

Andrew Underschaft: Whatever can blow man up, can blow society up. The history of the world is the history of those who had courage to embrace that truth.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #27.62 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"There Is a Happy Land"
(uncredited)
Hindustani air
Arranged by Leonard P. Breedlov (1850)
Words by Andrew Young (1838)
Arranged by William Walton

User Reviews

A few more comments

This movie is a George Bernard Shaw vehicle. As such it is very heavy handed. But of course that's what we love about Shaw. Isn't it?

No one yet has mentioned the cinematography. I'm no student on this topic, but the scenes where Undershaft gives a tour of his factory and his vision of paradise are truly awe inspiring. There's nothing subtle in it, it is quite vivid for its time. And I think black & white is perfect here. If it were done today in color, I'm sure it would lose something. As someone else said they're not sure why the movie is a comedy. Intentional (as a comedy) or not, t could be this scene.

I haven't seen the movie in years, it is this one scene that lives on in memory above all others.