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IMDbPro

Big Fella

  • 19371937
  • 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
196
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
196,910
15,594
Big Fella (1937)
DramaMusical
In this musical comedy, Paul Robeson stars as Joe, a Marseilles docker hired by a wealthy English couple to find their missing son. When Joe finds him, he learns he escaped of his own will, ... Read allIn this musical comedy, Paul Robeson stars as Joe, a Marseilles docker hired by a wealthy English couple to find their missing son. When Joe finds him, he learns he escaped of his own will, and takes him to stay with a local singer. They offer him a refuge from his repressed whit... Read allIn this musical comedy, Paul Robeson stars as Joe, a Marseilles docker hired by a wealthy English couple to find their missing son. When Joe finds him, he learns he escaped of his own will, and takes him to stay with a local singer. They offer him a refuge from his repressed white parents.
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
196
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
196,910
15,594
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • J. Elder Wills
    • Writers
      • Ingram D'Abbes
      • Claude McKay(novel "Banjo")
      • Fenn Sherie
    • Stars
      • Paul Robeson
      • Elisabeth Welch
      • Roy Emerton
    Top credits
    • Director
      • J. Elder Wills
    • Writers
      • Ingram D'Abbes
      • Claude McKay(novel "Banjo")
      • Fenn Sherie
    • Stars
      • Paul Robeson
      • Elisabeth Welch
      • Roy Emerton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos

    Big Fella (1937)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Robeson
    Paul Robeson
    • Joe
    Elisabeth Welch
    • Amanda 'Manda'
    Roy Emerton
    • Spike
    James Hayter
    James Hayter
    • Chuck
    Lawrence Brown
    • Corney
    Eldon Gorst
    • Gerald Oliphant
    • (as Eldon Grant)
    Marcelle Rogez
    • Marietta
    Eric Cowley
    • Ferdy Oliphant
    Joyce Kennedy
    Joyce Kennedy
    • Mrs. Oliphant
    Dino Galvani
    • Police Inspector
    • (uncredited)
    Cameron Hall
    • Ship's Doctor
    • (uncredited)
    Anthony Holles
    • Gendarme
    • (uncredited)
    Eslanda Robeson
      Margaret Rutherford
      Margaret Rutherford
      • Nanny
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • J. Elder Wills
      • Writers
        • Ingram D'Abbes
        • Claude McKay(novel "Banjo") (uncredited)
        • Fenn Sherie
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Dame Margaret Rutherford appears briefly as the nanny.
      • Quotes

        Amanda 'Manda': Howdy, Big Fella.

        Joe: Hello, Manda.

        Amanda 'Manda': Why didn't you come in earlier?

        Joe: I've been tending to some business.

        Amanda 'Manda': Oh, so your boyfriend here's been taking you around?

        Joe: That big stiff? Not likely.

      • Soundtracks
        Lazin'
        Written by Eric Ansell

        Sung by Paul Robeson on the wharf

      User reviews8

      Review
      Review
      Top review
      5/10
      ignore the story listen to the singing
      This is one of a number of films that Robeson made here in the UK simply because he couldn't get decent parts in American films because of the colour of his skin.Its just a shame that some of the films he made here,like this one were second rate.So the best thing to do is wait for the numerous musical numbers from both Robeson and Welch.He had a truly magnificent voice.
      helpful•5
      0
      • malcolmgsw
      • Aug 25, 2017

      Details

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      • Release date
        • 1939 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United Kingdom
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Idylle noire
      • Filming locations
        • British Lion Studios, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
      • Production companies
        • Beaconsfield Productions
        • British Lions Production
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 13 minutes
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.37 : 1

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