A YANK AT OXFORD

US/UK, 1938, 100 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O' Sullivan, Vivien Leigh, Edmund Gwenn.
Directed by Jack Conway.

A Yank at Oxford is enjoyable but dated entertainment. It was the first co production by M.G.M. with Sir Michael Balcon, later to be head of Ealing Studios. The collaboration was interrupted by the outbreak of World War Two.

The story is a tongue-in-cheek presentation of relationships between the English and the Americans - with jibes on either side. Robert Taylor seems to enjoy himself as the American athletic hero let loose at Oxford. Maureen O' Sullivan is the attractive heroine. Vivien Leigh, just prior to Gone With The Wind, has the unlikely role of the flirtatious wife of the bookseller (similar to the role of Virginia Maskell in the later The Wild and the Willing). There is a good supporting cast including a snarling Griffith Jones and Robert Coote at the beginning of his career of 'silly ass' Englishmen.

The film captures a lot of the atmosphere of England and Scotland - catering for American response. Direction is by Jack Conway, a veteran M.G.M. director of a range of films including A Tale of Two Cities, Honky Tonk, Dragon Seed etc.

1. An enjoyable comedy drama? Capturing the spirit of the late '30s, especially with Anglo -American relationships? A capturing of pre-World War Two way of life?

2. The American and English location photography? Studio work? The contrasting atmospheres of mid-west and Oxford? The film's M.G.M. production values and gloss? Strong American and English cast? Musical score?

3. The introduction with America, its pride, style, new world? The brashness and emphasis on success inserted into England? Lee's train ride, English reserve, old style, stuffiness? The sharp reaction of the English to American brashness?

4. The American sequences: Lee Sheridan and his confident running and winning, ease of style, study and scholarship, his father and the town endorsing him, the running of the paper, his father and money difficulties with the banks, advertising in the paper? The support of the Dean sending Lee to Oxford?

5. The transition to England: Lee in the train, his talking, the trick played on him, meeting him at the station and the ceremony, his eventually seeing through the trick? His reaction towards the Dean - and accidentally kicking him? The build-up for the blend of the serious and the humorous ? The creation of the atmosphere of Oxford?

6. Lee and his strong reactions, tough stances? Attraction to Molly, clashes? Kissing? The collage of their growing relationship - the nice romantic touch? The encounter with Elsa and her throwing herself at men? Suspicion of her? The friendship with Paul, his relationship with Molly? The initial clash? The growing clash and suspicion - especially because of Paul's relationship with Elsa? Marmaduke and the others playing tricks gradually supporting Lee?

7. Lee's skill in running the demonstration with his overcoat on? His success at the competition. the relay and his taking Paul's place? The angry reaction? Molly's snubbing him? The emphasis on good sportsmanship? The clashes - for instance at the pub?

8. The English background of the Dean and his initial antagonism, the tutor and his getting Lee's name wrong? Scat and his attendance on the gentlemen of Oxford? Support of Lee?

9. The romantic ups and downs in the relationship with Molly? The clashes with Paul, especially as regards the boat, the punching of the officers, the questions about reputation and being sent down from Oxford?

10. The clashes but the rowing event, the winning of the Head of the River? The speeches and the jollity - as well as the personal antagonism?

11. The build-up to the crisis of Paul with Elsa? Paul about to be sent down? Lee taking the blame? Lee's father arriving and his pride, his misinterpreting the procession for Lee? The plan with Molly? The interview with Elsa - and the humour of her blaming Marmaduke? Reconciliation all round?

12. The ending with the light touch for this kind of film?

13. The stereotype characters - entertainingly done? The British and English humour? The ironic sides and the tart comments? The atmosphere of England and America on the verge of being allies in World War Two?