The Good Companions (1933 film)

The Good Companions
The Good Companions
	U.S. film poster
Directed by	Victor Saville
Written by	Ian Dalrymple; Edward Knoblock; W. P. Lipscomb; Angus MacPhail
Based on	The Good Companions; by J.B. Priestley
Produced by	Michael Balcon ; Louis Levy ; George Pearson ; Thomas Welsh
Starring	Jessie Matthews; John Gielgud ; Edmund Gwenn
Cinematography	Bernard Knowles
Edited by	Frederick Y. Smith
Music by	George Posford; lyrics:; Douglas Furber
Production; company	Gaumont British Picture Corporation
Distributed by	Ideal
Release dates	28 February 1933 (London, England);
Running time	113 minutes
Country	England
Language	English

The Good Companions is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Victor Saville starring Jessie Matthews, John Gielgud and Edmund Gwenn.^[1] It is based on the 1929 novel of the same name by J.B. Priestley.^[2]

Plot

A group of widely divergent characters meet up with a broken-down touring concert-party, throw in their lot with them, and eventually triumph after temporary setbacks.^[3] This British musical-comedy follows an unlikely trio as they try to revive the fortunes of the floundering theatrical troupe. School teacher Inigo Jolifant (John Gielgud)^[4] with his talent for songwriting, and recently unemployed Jess Oakroyd (Edmund Gwenn) with his theatrical ambitions, together persuade Miss Trant (Mary Glynne), an older single woman looking for adventure, to fund them as they attempt to bring "The Dinky Doos" back into the spotlight. Susie Dean (Jessie Matthews) is a chorus girl who dreams of stardom, and when she's made the new leader of the show, it looks as if her dreams may finally come true.^[5]

Cast

Jessie Matthews as Susie Dean
Edmund Gwenn as Jess Oakroyd
John Gielgud as Inigo Jollifant
Mary Glynne as Miss Elizabeth Trant
Percy Parsons as Morton Mitcham
Alec Fraser as Doctor Hugh MacFarlane
Max Miller as Millbrau
A. W. Baskcomb as Jimmy
Florence Gregson as Mrs. Oakroyd
Frank Pettingell as Sam Oglethorpe
Laurence Hanray as Mr. Tarvin
Annie Esmond as Mrs. Tarvin
George Zucco as Fauntley
Frederick Piper as Ted Oglethorpe
Cyril Smith as Leonard Oakroyd
Tom Shale as Gatford Hotel landlord
Dennis Hoey as Joe Brundit
Richard Dolman as Jerry Jerningham
Mignon O'Doherty as Mrs. Tipstead
Finlay Currie as Monte Mortimer
Jack Hawkins as Albert
Ivor Barnard as Eric Tipstead
Olive Sloane as Effie
Wally Patch as Fred - Driver's Mate
Barbara Gott as Big Annie
Mae Bacon as Gatford Barmaid
Ben Williams as Man Cleaning Windows at Hotel Reception

Production

Gielgud had appeared in the 1931 theatrical version of the novel, written by Priestley, which had run for more than three hundred performances in the West End. Adele Dixon who had played Susie Dean on stage was replaced by Jessie Matthews.

It was shot at the Lime Grove Studios in Shepherd's Bush. The film's sets were designed by the art director Alfred Junge while the costumes were by Gordon Conway. Henry Ainley narrated the prologue.

Critical reception

In comparing the film to the book, The New York Times critic Mordaunt Hall wrote, "It is, indeed, a better production than was to be expected, for, while there are omissions and a certain hastening of parts of the narrative, the cheery personalities are present and in good form," and concluded, "Miss Matthews sings pleasingly and dances gracefully, while Mr. Gielgud's portrayal is extraordinarily real. It is one of those stories which is all the more worth while for having been made in England, for, aside from the naturalness of the players, there are the scenes of country houses and hedged roads, which add to the general effect of the picture";^[6] whereas Time Out wrote, "Saville's direction is adequate rather than inspired, but he elicits marvellous performances from his disparate cast. Matthews' portrayal of a bubblingly neurotic soubrette is wonderful, and not surprisingly shot her to stardom. The film does feed on rather than explore the twee camaraderie of the provincial touring company, but an English backstage musical as witty and well-handled as this is something to be thankful for indeed";^[7] and Leonard Maltin called it "a delightful film. Matthews is given full rein to display her considerable musical and comedic charms; Gielgud is equally humorous and surprising. He even sings!"^[8]