Dark Victory, 1939 (Grade C+)

Director: Edmund Goulding

Any Awards? On the AFI Top 100 Passion Movies and nominated for academy awards

CAST: Betty Davis; Humphrey Bogart; George Brent; Geraldine Fitzgerald; Ronald Regan; Henry Travers; Cora Witherspoon;  Dorothy Peterson; Virginia Brissac; Charles Richman;  Herbert Rawlinson; Leonard Mudie; Fay Helm

plot summary:  Long Island socialite Judith Traherne (Bette Davis), enjoys her wealth -- and engages in a full life of free-flowing booze, parties galore, and raising thoroughbreds.  But when a horse-jumping accident forces her to come to terms with her failing vision -- she discovers she is mortal.  A handsome doctor (George Brent) discovers that Judith suffers from a potentially fatal brain tumor...things don't go exactly where you expect from there.   

sez says: I sure like the wardrobe --and there were a lot of walk on by people who later became famous...not a great old movie but then, not a bad one either

mjc says -- selfless dying woman lets her husband go off as her eye site dims--a reminder of how terminal illness was treated in the old days... ie: don't talk about it.

Goodbye Mr. Chips, 1939 )Grade C)

Director: Sam Wood

Any Awards?  nominated for and won various academy awards

CAST:  Robert Donat; Greer Garson; Terry Kilburn; John Mills; Paul Henreid: Judith Furse; Lyn Harding

PLOT SUMMARY: This 1939 classic is based on a book by James Hilton. It has been made into movies three times, this being the first. It follows one Mr. Chipping (Robert Donat) from his start as an struggling, and only partially successful professor, teaching at the prestigious Brookfield school to, years later, his role as the beloved schoolmaster.  

sez says:  My how British....even so a sweet diverting movie...but no doubt more difficult from us Americans to relate to than it would be for Brits who have had their lives shaped by boarding schools.  

mjc says:  I am not sure but I think this is a glimpse into the British Public School education--its temptations and limitations.