MRS PARKINGTON

US, 1944, 124 minutes, Black and white.
Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Edward Arnold, Cecil Kellaway, Agnes Moorhead, Gladys Cooper, Tom Drake, Peter Lawford, Lee Patrick, Dan Durea, Selena Royle, Hugh Marlowe.
Directed by Tay Garnett.

Mrs. Parkington is a Greer Garson- Walter Pidgeon vehicle. After their success in Blossoms in the Dust and Mrs. Miniver, they went on to make Madame Curie and a number of films which capitalised on their easy relationship with one another and Greer Garson's elegant qualities as a leading lady. This is an adaptation of a novel by Louis Bromfield (The Rains Came) and is an entertaining saga of an American family.

The film has the M.G.M. production values of the '40s ? and presents an entertaining saga (compared with the rather more lurid novel adaptations of the late '50s and the subsequent mini-series on television). There is an excellent cast many stars in the early years of their careers taking supporting roles. There is a score by Bronislau Kaper.

Not an outstanding film, but an entertaining piece of '40s Americana.

1. An entertaining film? Adaptation of a popular novel? The tradition of large novel adaptations to blockbuster films? The tradition of portraits of families? from cinema adaptations to miniseries? The popularity of the novelist in the '40s?

2. M.G.M. production values? Black and white photography? Period? The musical score? The quality of the cast?

3. The structure of the film: the status of the family in 1938, the flashback technique and its effectiveness, the running of the two plots?

4. The popularity of Greer Garson? Her image, her winning an Oscar? Her ladylike values and style? Her presentation as the matriarch of the family, the flashbacks and her youthfulness? Her carrying the family? An old woman ? family, the meal, money? Amory? The granddaughter and Ned? The shooting? The loan, jail? The finale? American families and tradition, honour, wealth? Money, expectations and greed?

5. The portrait of the members of the family? The reliance on stereotypes well acted? Alice and the drinking? Awry and his wife? Al Swann? The meeting, the talk, the refusal? The critique of the family?

6. Susie and the background of Nevada, of the house, her relationship with the major, friendship, love., disaster? The importance of position, wealth? The atmosphere of the Parkington family?

7. Marriage. the change to New York, the relationship with Aspasia? The house, the ball, the list? The appeal? Changes? Susie and money? The building of the families?

8. Mrs. Parkington in middle age? Deaths? England and Lady Norah? The Prince of Wales? The hunt and the talk with the prince?

9. Aspasia and friendship. love, hate, help. persuasion about England? Leaving?

10. The film as a portrait of an outstanding woman? A woman in America? The contrast with English background? The portrait of the major in comparison with his wife? His death?

11. The film as a piece of Americana? American values, success, dreams, opportunities, exploitation? The film's impact in the '40s? Later?