In my younger days, I was a great fan of film fairs. In fact, I even helped to organize a few myself. Early on in this love affair, I came across a seller who had a 16mm print of "The Farmer's Wife" on sale. Naturally, I thought it was the 1928 Alfred Hitchcock movie starring Jameson Thomas as the farmer, plus Lillian Hall Davis and Gordon Harker. Fortunately, it didn't cost me much, but imagine my disappointment when it turned out to be this 1941 remake! Not that this movie is all that bad! And at least it's the same broad matrimonial farce from the pen of Eden Phillpotts. But this re-make, alas, is directed without any distinction by Norman Lee and Leslie Arliss, both of whom also collaborated on the screenplay with J.E. Hunter. Alas, the plot has little going for it. It's not only very predictable, but not terribly interesting. We all know how it's going to turn out. Fortunately, this version does present us with a great cast led by Patricia Roc and Michael Wilding and it sure is beautifully photographed by Claude Friese-Greene. And what's perhaps even more important, this version also serves up some really enjoyable musical interludes.
3 Reviews
Amusing rural romp
wilvram2 October 2022
Basil Sydney buys a farm but doesn't do any farming as he chases three women any one of whom he believes could make a suitable wife. The story is slight with an ending that's obvious within the first ten minutes but there's plenty of fun along the way assisted by some of those wonderful British character actors and a saucy script. Have to say I loved it, though it would perhaps not be on to many others' lists of top comedies. Three of the stars, the refined and sympathetic Nora Swinburne, Patricia Roc, and Sydney himself would all appear in the rural melodrama Jassy a few years later, with the latter playing a much more malevolent version of a landowner, though with the odd similarity to his character here. Not many laughs though when the set was machined gunned by enemy aircraft one day, though no-one thankfully was seriously hurt, while Patricia Roc's on-screen romance with Michael Wilding happened for real off the set.
Unexciting remake
malcolmgsw1 January 2023
I am always pleased when Taking Pictures a film which has been totally forgotten such as this remake of Hitchcocks 1928 film. Made by Associated British Pictures at Selwyn Studios,known as the Porridge Factory.
The problem with this film is that it is very predictable and not particularly funny. Even with the formidable presence of Wilfred Lawson,one of the true characters of the British Cinema of this era.
Now it can be true that films based on stage plays can be successfully transferred to film,e.g. On Approval,this definitely does not make the journey well. I suppose it was considered good escapism gate for the war weary audience.
The problem with this film is that it is very predictable and not particularly funny. Even with the formidable presence of Wilfred Lawson,one of the true characters of the British Cinema of this era.
Now it can be true that films based on stage plays can be successfully transferred to film,e.g. On Approval,this definitely does not make the journey well. I suppose it was considered good escapism gate for the war weary audience.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
