- Penn of Pennsylvania
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Penn of Pennsylvania Directed by Lance Comfort Produced by Richard Vernon Written by Anatole de Grunwald
C.E. Vulliamy (biography)Starring Clifford Evans
Deborah Kerr
Dennis ArrundellMusic by William Alwyn Editing by Sidney Cole Release date(s) 1941 Running time 78 mins Country United Kingdom Language English Penn of Pennsylvania is a 1941 British historical drama film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Deborah Kerr, Clifford Evans, Dennis Arundell, Henry Oscar, Herbet Lomas and Edward Rigby. The film depicts the life of the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn. It portrays his struggle to be granted a colonial charter in London and attracting settlers to his new colony as well as his adoption a radical new approach with regard to the treatment of the Native Americans.[1] It is also known by the alternative title Courageous Mr. Penn.
Contents
Production
The idea of a film about Penn was developed by the producer Richard Vernon.[2] After listening to a radio broadcast by Franklin Delano Roosevelt Vernon had been struck by how similar his views were to the Quaker philosophy of William Penn the next morning he approached bosses at British National Films and pitched the idea of a Penn biopic to them, securing their support.[3][4] Anatole de Grunwald hastily wrote a screenplay and the film began production at Elstree Studios on 10 February 1941.[5] Deborah Kerr, a rising star, was given equal billing with Clifford Evans, who played Penn, but had far less screen time as the film primarily focused on Penn rather than her portrayal of his wife.[6] The film concentrates of Penn's emblematic importance rather than simply as a historic individual, and he serves as a broader depiction of a freedom-loving Englishman.[7]
The musical score was written by William Alwyn, the first time he had written for a feature film. His score is generally considered far superior to the film itself.[8]
Made during the Second World War the film was intended in part as a propaganda effort to stir the United States out of its isolationist policies and persuade them into joining the war on Britain's side, and was one of a series of historical films including The Prime Minister, The Young Mr Pitt and The Great Mr Handel which were made at the same time, as well as Thunder Rock and 49th Parallel which portrayed a similar message in a contemporary setting.[9]
Reception
The film received universally bad reviews which criticised the lack of vitality in the historical figures who often resembled stereotypes.[10] When it was released in the United States the New York Times observed "Penn is definitely not one of England's better film efforts".[11] Evan's portrayal of Penn was generally praised for his "sympathetic" performance.[12]
Shortly afterwards Comfort directed Kerr in another film Hatter's Castle which proved a major success.
Cast
- Clifford Evans - William Penn
- Deborah Kerr - Gulielma Maria Springett
- Dennis Arundell - Charles II
- Aubrey Mallalieu - Chaplain
- D.J. Williams - Lord Arlington
- O.B. Clarence - Lord Cecil
- James Harcourt - George Fox
- Charles Carson - Admiral Penn
- Henry Oscar - Samuel Pepys
- Max Adrian - Elton
- John Stuart - Bindle
- Maire O'Neill - Cook
- Edward Rigby - Bushell
- Joss Ambler - Lord Mayor
- J.H. Roberts - Ford
- Edmund Willard - Captain
- Percy Marmont - Holme
- Gibb McLaughlin - Indian Chief
- Herbert Lomas - Captain Cockle
- Gus McNaughton - Mate
References
- ^ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/46113
- ^ Capua p.15
- ^ Capua p.15
- ^ McFarlane p.19
- ^ Capua p.15
- ^ Capua p.15
- ^ McFarlane p.22
- ^ Johnson p.42-45
- ^ Johnson p.42
- ^ Capua p.15-16
- ^ Capual p.16
- ^ McFarlane p.22
Bibliography
- Capua, Michelangelo. Deborah Kerr: A Biography. McFarland & Company, 2010.
- Johnson, Ian. William Alwyn: the art of film music. The Boydell Press, 2005.
- McFarlane, Brian. Lance Comfort. Manchester University Press, 1999.
- Wright, Adrian. The innumerable dance: the life and work of William Alwyn. The Boydell Press, 2008.
External links
Penn of Pennsylvania at the Internet Movie Database
Films directed by Lance Comfort 1940s Penn of Pennsylvania • Hatter's Castle • Those Kids from Town • Squadron Leader X • Escape to Danger • When We Are Married • Old Mother Riley Detective • Hotel Reserve • Great Day • Bedelia • Temptation Harbour • Daughter of Darkness • Silent Dust1950s Portrait of Clare • The Girl on the Pier • Bang! You're Dead • Eight O'Clock Walk • The Man in the Road • Face in the Night • Man from Tangier • At the Stroke of Nine • The Ugly Duckling • Make Mine a Million1960s The Breaking Point • Rag Doll • Pit of Darkness • The Painted Smile • Touch of Death • Tomorrow at Ten • Blind Corner • Live It Up! • Be My Guest • Devils of DarknessCategories:- British films
- English-language films
- 1941 films
- Films set in the 17th century
- Films set in the 18th century
- Films set in Pennsylvania
- Films set in the Thirteen Colonies
- Films set in London
- Biographical films
- Films directed by Lance Comfort
- Directorial debut films
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