1940 British Comedy Film

CowgirlPoet · Jun 5, 2009

Hello everyone!

I am putting the finishing touches on a novel centered in London during the Blitz. At one point I have some characters go to the cinema and see a film, preferably a comedy with no relation to the war. I'd like it to be a British-made film, but American would be fine if it's pre-1939.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks ever so much!

alleycat · Jun 5, 2009

Pygmalion with Leslie Howard came out in 1938.

There's also Bringing Up Baby, Where's the Fire?, and A Yank at Oxford, among others.

alleycat · Jun 5, 2009

You might also want to take a look at this list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_the_United_Kingdom

Click on the years on the right side of the webpage to see the major films for any particular year.

pdr · Jun 5, 2009

If you want...

to be patriotic Laurence Olivier's Henry V was made as part of the War Effort and everyone rushed to see it and rave over it. I still think it's the best Hal V ever!

PastMidnight · Jun 6, 2009

I found a number of cinema references in my own research on the early war, of people being in the cinema when air raid sirens went off, etc. I found it odd that all the films mentioned were American westerns. At least that's what they were watching up in Edinburgh. I went with Stagecoach and Jesse James, just because I know they were showing at local cinemas during the air attacks I have in my chapter.

som1luvsmi · Jun 6, 2009

Here are some films that came out in 1938-39:

The Adventures of Robin Hood (w/Errol Flynn)*

Bringing Up Baby (w/ Kathrine Hepburn & Cary Grant)**

Holiday (w/ Katherine Hepburn & Cary Grant)**

Jezebel (w/ Bette Davis)

You Can't Take It With You (w/ Jean Arthur & James Stewart)**

Dark Victory (w/ Bette Davis)*

The Four Feathers (w/John Clements)*

Gone With the Wind (w/ Vivian Leigh & Clark Gable)*

Love Affair (w/ Irene Dunn & Charles Boyer)* (this was later remade as An Affair to Remember.)

Ninotchka (w/ Greta Garbo)*

The Wizard of Oz (w/ Judy Garland)*

Wuthering Heights (w/ Merle Oberon & Laurence Olivier)

*ones I've seen and loved.
**my favorites.

firedrake · Jun 6, 2009

Hi, welcome.

I found this web site invaluable when I was writing my WW2 novel

http://www.ne-diary.bpears.org.uk/Bck/Popular.html

It lists top ten films, songs, etc for every year of the war, as well as prices of things.

Be warned: It's an addictive site.

Captain Scarf · Jun 7, 2009

There was no such thing as comedy in 1940. Comedy was invented in the 1950s by Spike Milligan.

But seriously, You should investigate George Formby films. He was a musician but he also made films before and during the war. He was very popular.

Also, during air raids, in case people couldn't hear the siren, cinemas used to put a notice up on the screen.

firedrake · Jun 7, 2009

Captain Scarf said:
There was no such thing as comedy in 1940. Comedy was invented in the 1950s by Spike Milligan.

But seriously, You should investigate George Formby films. He was a musician but he also made films before and during the war. He was very popular.

Also, during air raids, in case people couldn't hear the siren, cinemas used to put a notice up on the screen.

Ever since I saw this thread, I've been racking my brains trying to remember. I kept thinking of Arthur Askey, but yes, George Formby singing ..."When I'm cleaning windows." My favorite. Love it.

waylander · Jun 9, 2009

'Oh Mr Porter' (1937)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029335/

Captain Scarf · Jun 9, 2009

Even if you don't use Oh Mr Porter! make sure you watch it. Well worth it just for the Napoleon joke.

pdr · Jun 9, 2009

Oh cheers!

Thank you, Waylander.

I remember the film but not its title. I just had a bit of the plot in my head. Now I can get a copy and see if it was as funny as I remember.

CowgirlPoet · Jun 10, 2009

Wow this is great!! I didn't know Bringing Up Baby was made in 1938! I love that movie! That's definitely the one I'll use.

Thanks so much!

alleycat · Jun 10, 2009

In case you're not aware of it, the IMDb is a good place to get the basic details of any movie. Here's a link: http://www.imdb.com/

CowgirlPoet · Jun 10, 2009

Actually, I was aware of that, but thank you very much for the hint!

1940 British Comedy Film

CowgirlPoet

alleycat

Still around

alleycat

Still around

pdr

PastMidnight

Oponionated

som1luvsmi

My brother loves me thiiis much! :)

firedrake

practical experience, FTW

Captain Scarf

Smart-casual Ninja

firedrake

practical experience, FTW

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

Captain Scarf

Smart-casual Ninja

pdr

CowgirlPoet

alleycat

Still around

CowgirlPoet