Big Fella (1937)

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,... See full summary »

Director:

J. Elder Wills

Writers:

Ingram D'Abbes, Fenn Sherie

Stars:

Paul Robeson, Elisabeth Welch, Roy Emerton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Paul Robeson	...	Joe
Elisabeth Welch	...	Amanda 'Manda'
Roy Emerton	...	Spike
James Hayter	...	Chuck
Lawrence Brown	...	Corney
Eldon Gorst	...	Gerald Oliphant (as Eldon Grant)
Marcelle Rogez	...	Marietta
Eric Cowley	...	Ferdy Oliphant
Joyce Kennedy	...	Mrs. Oliphant

Storyline

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, and takes him to stay with a local singer. They offer him a refuge from his repressed white parents.

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Plot Keywords:

marseille | kidnapping | runaway | blackmail | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Een zwarte idylle

Filming Locations:

British Lion Studios, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beaconsfield Productions,Hammer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Ma Curly Headed Baby
Written by G.H. Clutsam
Sung by Paul Robeson

User Reviews

Paul Robeson's Big Fella is an enjoyable slight trifle of a movie

After starring in Song of Freedom together, Paul Robeson and Elizabeth Welch reunited in this, Big Fella. They end up temporarily caring for a rich white kid (Eldon Gorst) who's run away from his parents because he feels stifled. I'll stop there and just say it's wonderful to once again hear both Robeson and Ms. Welch singing to their heart's content whenever they get the chance. I was partly amused by the plot and some of the interactions though this is probably the most trifle of Robeson's British movies. Good thing it's only an hour and 10 minutes. Since this is Black History Month, I have to note also the appearance of Lawrence Brown as one of Paul's friends. Oh, and also Paul's wife Eslanda as the café proprietor who gives him a tongue lashing at one point. Both previously appeared with him in Jericho. So on that note, Big Fella is worth a look.