Home | Movies By Year | Movies from 1936
When Knights Were Bold (1936 film)
Buy When Knights Were Bold (1936 film) now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the movie. And once you've experienced the movie, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
'When Knights Were Bold' is a 1936 British musical comedy film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Jack Buchanan, Fay Wray and Garry Marsh. Songs include "Let's Put the People To Work" sung by Jack Buchanan, "Onward We Go" sung by Buchanan & soldiers' chorus, and "I'm Still Dreaming" sung by Buchanan.
Plot
Sir Guy de Vere inherits his father's estate while serving with the British army in India. He returns home to take up his new role, but is greeted with hostility by his family and servants. After a drunken evening, a bump on the head with a suit of armour sends Sir Guy back to the 1400s and the golden age of chivalry.
Cast
* Jack Buchanan as Sir Guy De Vere
* Fay Wray as Lady Rowena
* Garry Marsh as Brian Ballymoat
* Kate Cutler as Aunt Agatha
* Martita Hunt as Aunt Esther
* Robert Horton as Cousin Bertie
* Aubrey Mather as The Canon
* Aubrey Fitzgerald as Barker, butler
* Robert Nainby as Whittle, the 'boy'
* Moore Marriott as The Tramp
* Charles Paton as The Mayor
Production
The film was made at British and Dominions Elstree Studios by the independent Capitol Film production company.Wood p.88 Buchanan had recently left his contract with producer Herbert Wilcox with whom he had enjoyed a number of hit releases. It was based on the 1906 play 'When Knights Were Bold' by Harriett Jay. The film's sets were designed by the art director Wilfred Arnold. Some scenes were shot on location at Warwick Castle.Low p.200
Critical reception
In 1936, The 'Daily Express' wrote, "In spite of its laudable effort to put more action into a fairly static play, the film script is a rare triumph of unimaginativeness." In 1942, 'The New York Times' wrote, "it is, to state it briefly, a pointless trifle, a minor vaudeville skit...If 'the Little Carnegie' is anxious to show none but British product, why doesnt it play in revival some really memorable films? We can think of two dozen British pictures such as 'The Ghost Goes West', 'South Riding', 'To the Victor' and 'Drums', not to mention the Hitchcock classics, which most certainly retain their appeal. Why expose a blunder which had better be forgot?" ; while more recently, 'TV Guide' noted, "it seems that the best British farces come from mocking that land's rather stuffy customs. This picture takes that course and provides pleasing comedy by not taking itself seriously."
References
Buy When Knights Were Bold (1936 film) now from Amazon
<-- Return to movies from 1936