A Yank at Oxford (1938)

A brash young American aristocrat attending Oxford University gets a chance to prove himself and win the heart of his antagonist's sister.

Director:

Jack Conway

Writers:

Malcolm Stuart Boylan (screen play), Walter Ferris (screen play)

Stars:

Robert Taylor, Vivien Leigh, Lionel Barrymore

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Taylor	...	Lee Sheridan
Lionel Barrymore	...	Dan Sheridan
Maureen O'Sullivan	...	Molly Beaumont
Vivien Leigh	...	Elsa Craddock
Edmund Gwenn	...	Dean of Cardinal
Griffith Jones	...	Paul Beaumont
C.V. France	...	Dean Snodgrass
Edward Rigby	...	Scatters
Morton Selten	...	Cecil Davidson, Esq.
Claude Gillingwater	...	Ben Dalton
Tully Marshall	...	Cephas
Walter Kingsford	...	Dean Williams
Robert Coote	...	Wavertree
Peter Croft	...	Ramsey
Noel Howlett	...	Tom Craddock

Storyline

Lee Sheridan's ego has always been stoked by his newspaper publisher father, Dan Sheridan, who is willing to "hold the presses" solely to print Lee's many sporting accomplishments as they happen. Because he is as good as he says in those sporting accomplishments, Lee is generally well liked by his colleagues at Lakedale State College in his hometown of Lakedale despite that ego. It is because of those sporting feats that Lee is offered a scholarship to attend Oxford. Lee expects to be as welcomed at Oxford as he has been his entire life, but is slow to learn that his brash American sensibilities mean more to his staid Oxford classmates than his sporting accomplishments, that brashness which turns off the first three Oxford students he meets on the train. It is because of their rough treatment of him, especially by Paul Beaumont, that makes Lee reconsider his stay in England. Lee does decide to stay and make a name for himself in a good way, partly to impress Molly Beaumont, Paul's ...

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Plot Keywords:

bad sportsmanship | oxford | american in the uk | relay race | track meet | 

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Taglines:

Here's The Yankee Clipper Himself ! A two-fisted terror from the States . . . who landed in England with a chip on his shoulder . . . but let a blue-eyed beauty walk off with his heart ! Bob Taylor's Biggest Picture Hit !

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

A few years after this movie was made, Taylor and Leigh starred together in Waterloo Bridge, which both actors said was their favorite movie.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Robert Taylor (1962)

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Soundtracks

Battle Hymn of the Republic
(circa 1856) (uncredited)
Music by William Steffe
Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe (1862)
Sung a cappella by students with modified lyrics

User Reviews

A fish out water - unless it has an oar.

Robert Taylor is the eponymous character who arrives from the USA to study at Oxford University. This independent, spirited and competitive young man ("Sheridan") isn't immediately a natural fit for this berth of ancient traditions, and shortly afterwards he attracts the enmity of the all-important rowing captain "Beaumont" (Griffith Jones) - and thereby, pretty much the whole place. Things don't improve for him when he and his nemesis' sister "Molly" (Maureen O'Sullivan) begins courting. What now ensues are a series of mildly amusing scenarios that serve to illustrate the clash of cultures as much as they do of personalities, and though pleasantly engaging enough, they don't really do much more than reinforce some stereotypes all round - none that really show anyone in a particularly good light. Sadly, Taylor and neither Vivien Leigh (who's part adds little to this mix) nor O'Sullivan have much chemistry, which leaves the pace a but listless at times. There are some nice supporting efforts from CV France as the "Dean"; Edmund Gwenn; Edward Rigby as his Dickensianly-monikered, sagely, steward "Scatters" and the scene stealing Lionel Barrymore as his father. It culminates in some fine rowing scenes that reminded my of why I ever watched the famous Varsity (Oxford v Cambridge) Boat Race - I always wanted one of them to sink! It's gently light-hearted and fun - an interesting observation on two nations separated by the same tongue.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

18 February 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Yank at Oxford

Filming Locations:

Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1