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Notorious Gentleman (1945)

The Rake's Progress (original title)
| Drama, Romance | 1 November 1946 (USA)
Notorious Gentleman Poster
Vivian Kenway, a young Englishman from an aristocratic background, flunks out of Oxford, and decides to use his considerable charm to achieve his goal of, apparently, making dissipation his... See full summary »

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Rake's Progress
Apr 26 1939
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Rake's Progress
Apr 26 1939
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Rake's Progress (TV Movie 1939)
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A play on the life of John Wilkes, rake, scholar, wit, and man of fashion, who fought George III on the question of English liberty and won.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Vivian Kenway
... Rikki Krausner
Godfrey Tearle ... Colonel Robert Kenway
... Sandy Duncan
... Jennifer Calthorp
... Fogroy
... Jill Duncan
... Lady Angela Parks
... Sir Hubert Parks
... Sir John Brockley
Alan Wheatley ... Edwards
... Bromhead
John Salew ... Burgess
Charles Victor ... Old Sweat
Jan Van Loewen ... Soldier (as Jan van Loewen)
See full cast »
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Storyline

Vivian Kenway, a young Englishman from an aristocratic background, flunks out of Oxford, and decides to use his considerable charm to achieve his goal of, apparently, making dissipation his career. His derelictions include seduction, betrayals of sweethearts, family and friends, and Marriage for money. All this with no signs of remorse or redemption, since his life as a completely unprincipled rake is quite enjoyable...for him, at least. Then, World War II breaks out and he is given a chance to die a heroic death for flag and country. Maybe. Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

corruption | sweetheart | seduction | rake | oxford | See All (45) »

Taglines:

The private life of a magnificent heel...who brought out the woman in women!

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

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Details

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

1 November 1946 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Notorious Gentleman  »

Filming Locations:

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Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(BAF Sound System)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Hedda Hopper Show - This Is Hollywood" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on November 30, 1946 with Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer reprising their film roles presented under the alternate title "Notorious Gentleman". See more »

Goofs

After sharing a taxi with Miss Calthorp, Vivian Kenway exits the cab. However, scenery seen through the cab's rear window indicates the cab is still underway at a fast clip See more »

Quotes

Fogroy: Good old Viv. He died as he lived - drinking champagne he never paid for.
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Soundtracks

Boomps a Daisy
(uncredited)
Written by Annette Mills
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User Reviews

What a bounder!
17 December 1998 | by – See all my reviews

The Rake's Progress (as this film is known in England) tells the story of a spoiled, rich public school boy who cannot settle in peace time but finds his role during the war by sacrificing himself for the war effort. The name of the film was changed for US audiences, according to Director Gilliatt, because 'the distributors thought the original one might lead audiences to expect something about gardening'!!

Your enjoyment of this movie will depend on your reaction to Rex Harrison in the lead role of Vivian. If you see him as a fun loving bounder, you'll have fun. If, on the other hand you find him an annoying, faithless, womanising bastard then you'll find 124 minutes verrrrry long.

I started off in the first camp, particularly during the scenes when he is based in a coffee plantation in Latin America and the amusing conversations with his elderly aunt. However the charm soon wears off as he cuckolds an old university friend, uses a beautiful jewish refugee to pay off his debts and causes his own father's death in a drink driving accident.

Does he find redemption in the end? Well, this depends on your interpretation of the final scenes. If you buy the moral that he has now found his place then the film has some meaning. I found the redemptive ending tacked on - reminiscent of the way Hawkes was forced to insert the criticism of gangsters in Scarface.

There are some good performances, particularly from Godfrey Tearle as Vivian's father and Margaret Johnson as the Secretary. Rex acts as Rex just like in Blithe Spirit, Doctor Doolittle, My Fair Lady etc....

If you've nothing better to do on a wet Sunday afternoon, give this film a look and post your views.
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