What a pleasure to find an old friend - much remembered, some forgotten. This is a STORY, one that could really happen in real life; all of the characters are flawed, as most people are.
Director Irving Rapper kept tight reign on his cast, but allowed each actor/actress to perform to their highest potential. Frank Cavett's script did not contain surprises that wouldn't happen in daily life. One can just as easily get caught-up in mundanely slow-action movies as one does in high-action ones - you have the chance to listen/watch the movie, but compare it with things that really occur.
"Miss Moffat" (Bette Davis) sets the high-moral figure - and played her role with consummate skill - as the teacher-to-all ages in the school she sets-up in her home.....perhaps a precursor to adult-education ? Of course, all of the characters were imbued with a gentler demeanor than is our standard today....how nice to see people not out for "me". Nigel Bruce ("The Squire") gave the impression he, too, might need some coaching, and is charming in his simple-but-reachable role. "Morgan" (John Dall) played the role of miner-scholar with stellar aplomb - he was a good match for "Miss Moffat" in his role. "Bessie" made it clear she was out "to get" "Morgan" - an easy job.
I'm not sure if the ending of this film was the one I saw. My clearest remembrance of "The Corn is Green" is the final scene, as "Morgan" goes-off to Oxford, as "Miss Moffat" stands in the window looking out (for at least three minutes) - every emotional registering on her face. That Davis woman......
"The Corn is Green" is a movie for all ages with fabulous viewing. BECAUSE it could happen, although simple, is what makes it so great. I would rate it as 50, if I could. The copy TCM presented was brilliant, not faded and scratchy as some have stated here. Perhaps the long-waited DVD? It belongs in everyone's collection - I hope it will soon be in mine.
Director Irving Rapper kept tight reign on his cast, but allowed each actor/actress to perform to their highest potential. Frank Cavett's script did not contain surprises that wouldn't happen in daily life. One can just as easily get caught-up in mundanely slow-action movies as one does in high-action ones - you have the chance to listen/watch the movie, but compare it with things that really occur.
"Miss Moffat" (Bette Davis) sets the high-moral figure - and played her role with consummate skill - as the teacher-to-all ages in the school she sets-up in her home.....perhaps a precursor to adult-education ? Of course, all of the characters were imbued with a gentler demeanor than is our standard today....how nice to see people not out for "me". Nigel Bruce ("The Squire") gave the impression he, too, might need some coaching, and is charming in his simple-but-reachable role. "Morgan" (John Dall) played the role of miner-scholar with stellar aplomb - he was a good match for "Miss Moffat" in his role. "Bessie" made it clear she was out "to get" "Morgan" - an easy job.
I'm not sure if the ending of this film was the one I saw. My clearest remembrance of "The Corn is Green" is the final scene, as "Morgan" goes-off to Oxford, as "Miss Moffat" stands in the window looking out (for at least three minutes) - every emotional registering on her face. That Davis woman......
"The Corn is Green" is a movie for all ages with fabulous viewing. BECAUSE it could happen, although simple, is what makes it so great. I would rate it as 50, if I could. The copy TCM presented was brilliant, not faded and scratchy as some have stated here. Perhaps the long-waited DVD? It belongs in everyone's collection - I hope it will soon be in mine.