Big Fella

Big Fella
Directed by	J. Elder Wills
Written by	Ingram D'Abbes Fenn Sherie
Based on	Banjo by Claude McKay
Produced by	Henry Passmore J. Elder Wills
Starring	Paul Robeson Elisabeth Welch Roy Emerton James Hayter
Cinematography	Cyril Bristow George Stretton H.A.R. Thomson
Edited by	Brereton Porter Douglas Robertson
Music by	G. H. Clutsam Wilhelm Grosz Eric Ansell Jack Beaver
Release date	8 April 1937 (1937-04-08)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Big Fella is a 1937 British musical drama film directed by J. Elder Wills and starring Paul Robeson, Elisabeth Welch and Roy Emerton. It is loosely based on the novel Banjo by Harlem Renaissance writer Claude McKay.

Plot

Big Fella is set on the docks and streets of Marseilles. Paul Robeson stars as a street-wise but honest dockworker who struggles with deep issues of integrity and human values. Elisabeth Welch plays opposite him as a café singer in love with him. Robeson's wife, Eslanda Robeson, appears as the café owner.[1]

Reception

The movie received praise, particularly for the music, featuring Robeson and Welch, and for Robeson's performance.

Cast

• Paul Robeson as Banjo
• Elisabeth Welch as Amanda 'Manda'
• Roy Emerton as Spike
• James Hayter as Chuck
• Lawrence Brown as Corney
• Eldon Gorst as Gerald Oliphant
• Marcelle Rogez as Marietta
• Eric Cowley as Ferdy Oliphant
• Joyce Kennedy as Mrs. Oliphant
• Dino Galvani as Gendarme
• Anthony Holles as Gendarme
• Margaret Rutherford as Nanny

References

1. "MRS. ROBESON DOES EXIST". The Queenslander. 12 January 1938. p. 10. Retrieved 5 August 2012 – via National Library of Australia.

External links

• Big Fella at IMDb