The green grain

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Movie
German title The green grain
Original title The Corn Is Green
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1945
length 100 minutes
Rod
Director Irving rapper
script Frank Cavett
Casey Robinson
production Jack Chertok
music Max Steiner
camera Sol Polito
cut Frederick Richards
occupation

The green grain (alternative title: The grain is green / The greening grain ) is an American film drama from 1945. The screenplay is based on the play of the same name by Emlyn Williams .

action

The small Welsh town of Glansarno in 1895. The residents of the town are dismayed to learn that the new parishioner LC Moffat is actually 40-year-old Englishwoman Lily Cristobel. Mrs. Moffat's household includes the housekeeper Mrs. Watty, a former thief, and her daughter Bessie. Against the resistance of the upper class, Lily wants to open a school for the children who work in the coal mines. At her side are Miss Ronberry and Mr. Jones.

The mine owners, supported by the Squire, who is the richest man in the area, do not want to let the children out of the mines during their long working hours. The owner of the barn, which Lily wants to convert into a schoolhouse, is also against the plans. Lily is discouraged, but when she reads a story written by one of the boys, Morgan Evans, she is touched by the raw poetry of wanting to hold class in her own apartment. In fact, many of the residents attend classes, with Lily taking more care of Morgan. She believes Morgan can go to Oxford University.

Lily flatters herself with the Squire and asks him if he would vouch for a scholarship so Morgan can go to Oxford. At the same time, Morgan is teased by his friends, who see him as a nerd. Morgan gets drunk and tells Lily that he wants to return to the mines. Lily argues with him, but in the end she leaves the decision to him. The disturbed Morgan meets Bessie, who flirts with him and seduces him. Bessie stands by him, and Morgan actually returns to the mines. But a short time later he reconsiders and wants to go to Oxford.

Lily practices with him ceaselessly so that Morgan can pass his entrance exam. On the morning of the test, Bessie tells Lily that she is pregnant. Lily keeps the news to herself. After the exam, Morgan desperately wants to go to university. He's partying with Lily, the Squire, Miss Ronberry, Mr. Jones and Mrs. Watty. When Bessie arrives, she is first noticed by Mr. Jones, who sends Morgan into the kitchen. Bessie tells the assembled group about her pregnancy. Mr. Jones offers to marry her, but Bessie just laughs at him. She has a husband who she would marry if she gave up her child. Mrs. Watty gets Lily to adopt the child. When Morgan learns that he is going to be a father, he wants to marry Bessie. A wire arrives telling me that Morgan has passed the exam. Lily convinces him to keep going to school and not seeing Bessie again until she turns out to be a real mother and takes care of the child. Morgan accepts and leaves to celebrate with the villagers one last time.

criticism

The lexicon of international film writes about the film: "Although it is theatrically staged, the film captivates thanks to its good presentation and camera work."

Bosley Crowther of the New York Times particularly praised the clear and warm-hearted playing of Bette Davis, but at the same time criticized the director's preference for close-ups and recuts.

The Variety loved the performances (Davis, Dall, Lorring, and Bruce) that would grab their attention.

Awards

In 1946 , John Dall was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and Joan Lorring for Best Supporting Actress .

background

The premiere took place on March 29, 1945 in New York. In Germany, the film first appeared in cinemas on December 9, 1947.

The play and film tell the story of Welsh writer Emlyn Williams and his teacher Miss Cooke.

Some members of the theater company were also cast for the film. Rhys Williams, Rosalind Ivan and Mildred Dunnock repeated their stage roles. Bette Davis replaced Ethel Barrymore , who was considered too old . John Dall replaced Richard Warring, who was drafted into the army, in his screen debut.

In 1978 George Cukor made a remake with Katharine Hepburn in the lead role ( The grain is green ).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. The green grain. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed April 10, 2017 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used 
  2. Bosley Crowther : THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; Corn Is Green, 'Starring Bette Davis in Role Played on the Stage by Ethel Barrymore, Opens at Hollywood Theater Colonel Blimp,' Technicolor Film From Britain, at the Gotham - 'Belle of the Yukon,' With Gypsy Rose Lee, Palace Bill At the Gotham, At the Palace . In: The New York Times . March 30, 1945 ( online on the New York Times pages [accessed April 13, 2019]).
  3. ^ The Corn Is Green . In: Variety . April 4, 1945, p. 10 (English, online at Archive.org [accessed April 13, 2019]).
  4. ^ The Corn Is Green. Turner Classic Movies , accessed April 13, 2019 .