SOUTH RIDING
UK, 1938, 85 minutes, Black-and-white.
Ralph Richardson, Edna Best, Edmund Gwenn, Ann Todd, Marie Lohr, Milton Rosmer, John Clements, Joan Ellum, Glynis Johns, Herbert Lomas.
Directed by Victor Savile.
South Riding was a very popular novel of the 1930s, written by Winifred Holtby. The author died not long before the making of this film and there is an opening tribute to her in the initial credits as well as commenting on her perspectives on British life at the time.
The setting is South Riding, Yorkshire. The film introduces the central characters as members of the County Council, each of them stating their beliefs and political stances, including Ralph Richardson as part of a wealthy family and a traditional point of view, John Clements as a socialist, Milton Rosman as a dyed in the wool capitalist, Edmund Gwenn as an opportunist, Marie Lohr as the older, wiser and experienced woman on the Council.
The film traces their stories, Ralph Richardson who married a flighty young woman despite warnings from her father, tracing her mental decline and her being put in an institution (played by Ann Todd). He is concerned about the mental health of his younger daughter and wants her to go to a better school but, finances failing, even his precious horse which he wants to sell during a fox hunt falling. He disapproves of the application of a young teacher, Sara, Edna Best, but sends his daughter to her – and there is a mutual attraction.
The Socialist is concerned about housing in the town and wants to promote projects for improvements. This is in contrast with the capitalist who wants to purchase land for development, persuading Edmund Gwenn to come in on the deal and to invite others.
Eventually, at a council meeting, there is an un-masking of the plot, all set right and a grand patriotic scene with everyone singing Land of Hope and Glory.
1. A picture of Yorkshire in the 1930s? The reputation of the novel by Winifred Holtby? The initial tribute at the film’s beginning? The comments about the portrait of England?
2. The Yorkshire settings, South Riding, the countryside, the town, homes, the Council meetings, school, roads and buildings? The musical score? The finale with Land of Hope and Glory?
3. The focus on the County Council? The introduction of the members, their statements, right-wing and Conservative, left-wing and socialist? Capitalists? Women’s presence? The various meetings, motions, assent? The discussions between the members? Snaith and the property deal, his including Huggins? The contrast with Joe Astley and the concern about accommodation for the poor? Issues of the school and teachers? The final meeting, the president, the pressure on Huggins, seconding the motion, Robert speaking, swaying the assembly on the boat?
4. Robert and his story, the flashbacks to his courting his wife, the war, her father and his warnings, her moods, the marriage, the travels, her erratic behaviour, wanting to travel, criticising Robert, attacking him? Her love for him? Riding the horse upstairs? Her finally being interned? Robert and his paying for her comfort, reparation? The institution, the discussion about fees, her reaction at the moment that he contemplated suicide?
5. Robert and his daughter, his concern, the portrait of her mother, her mother’s dress and the daughter wearing it and his reprimand? His wanting to send her to a fashionable school? Voting against Sarah at the meeting? Sending his daughter to school, Sarah and her concern, the daughter and her fighting Lydia, their becoming friends? Sarah and her concern, the attraction to Robert? His breaking off the relationship?
6. Joe Astley, socialist, social concerns, housing, his personality, his cough, his activities?
7. Huggins, business, preacher, the congregation’s reaction? The young woman, the contact, the money, her marriage, the shop? Sarah overhearing the discussion about the property deal? His getting others to be involved in the property, keeping it secret, the relationship with Snaith? The confrontation by Robert and the other members of the Council, going to the chamber, seconding the motion, his being exposed, his relating?
8. Snaith, the emphasis on business, the property deal, linking with Huggins and the others? Keeping it secret? Robert putting his property on sale? Wanting to buy it? The meeting, the exposure?
9. Sarah, at the school, with the children, her exasperation, the reckless driving with Joe? Giving herself the day off, meeting Robert, the drinks, the kiss, the message from the institution and his breaking off? Her overhearing the plan? Going to find Robert, his will, contemplating suicide, the gun in the woods, stopping him?
10. Lydia, poor family, her studies, clashing with Robert’s daughter? Her mother dying? The plea for the scholarship? Two girls bonding?
11. The end, everybody united, England 1938 – Land of Hope and Glory?
