Medal for the General

Medal for the General

Godfrey Tearle (second from left) and Petula Clark (third from left) in a scene from the film
Directed by Maurice Elvey
Produced by Louis H. Jackson
Written by Elizabeth Baron
Based on the novel by James Ronald
Starring Godfrey Tearle
Jeanne de Casalis
Petula Clark
Music by William Alwyn
Cinematography Arthur Grant
James Wilson
Edited by Grace Garland
Production
company
Distributed by Anglo-American Film Corporation (UK)
Four Continents Films (US)
Release dates
  • 23 July 1944 (1944-07-23)

[1]

Running time
 100 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

Medal for the General is a 1944 British comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey. The screenplay by Elizabeth Baron is based on the novel of the same title by James Ronald.

Plot

The title character is Victor Church, a World War I veteran who becomes despondent when his advancing age prevents him from playing an active role in the battles of World War II. Feeling unwanted and useless, he retreats to his country estate and plans his suicide. He finds a new purpose in life when he opens his home to six rambunctious Cockney children evacuated from the London slums and tries to keep the mischievous group under control.

Cast

Production

Director Maurice Elvey was still searching for a young girl to portray the precocious orphan Irma when he attended a charity concert to benefit the National Fire Service at Royal Albert Hall. On the bill was eleven-year-old Petula Clark, who in addition to singing appeared in a comedy sketch written by her father. Elvey was so impressed by her performance he went backstage and offered her the role in his film.[2] The following year he cast her in I Know Where I'm Going!, and the two reunited for the 1954 film The Happiness of Three Women.

Critical reception

The Times said, "Medal for the General is hardly a subtle or intellectual film, but it is warmhearted and the acting and direction show tact and good sense throughout."[1]

The Daily Telegraph thought the story "is hardly promising material, and the sentimental way in which it is treated does nothing to make it more palatable."[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Petula Clark Film Companion London: Meeting Point Publications 1998
  2. ↑ Kon, Andrea, This is My Song: A Biography of Petula Clark. London: W.H. Allen 1983. ISBN 0-491-02898-9. pp. 44-45
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