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 | |
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Peter Croft | ... | Ramsey |
Noel Howlett | ... | Tom Craddock |
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 ... Written by Huggo
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.