Film Snail

A Yank at Oxford
A Yank at Oxford

6.7

A Yank at Oxford

NR·1938·102m

Summary

A brash young American aristocrat attending Oxford University gets a chance to prove himself and win the heart of his antagonist's sister.

Crew

Director

Jack Conway

Screenplay

Malcolm Stuart Boylan

Screenplay

George Oppenheimer

Screenplay

Walter Ferris

Story

Leon Gordon

Story

Sidney Gilliat

Story

John Monk Saunders

Story

Michael Hogan

Writer

Angus MacPhail

Writer

John Paddy Carstairs

Writer

Roland Pertwee

Reviews

Geronimo1967

Geronimo1967

June 20, 2022

6

Robert Taylor is the eponymous character who arrives from the USA to study at Oxford University. This independent, spirited and competitive young man ("Sheridan") isn't immediately a natural fit for this berth of ancient traditions, and shortly afterwards he attracts the enmity of the all-important rowing captain "Beaumont" (Griffith Jones) - and thereby, pretty much the whole place. Things don't improve for him when he and his nemesis' sister "Molly" (Maureen O'Sullivan) begins courting. What now ensues are a series of mildly amusing scenarios that serve to illustrate the clash of cultures as much as they do of personalities, and though pleasantly engaging enough, they don't really do much more than reinforce some stereotypes all round - none that really show anyone in a particularly good light. Sadly, Taylor and neither Vivien Leigh (who's part adds little to this mix) nor O'Sullivan have much chemistry, which leaves the pace a but listless at times. There are some nice supporting efforts from CV France as the "Dean"; Edmund Gwenn; Edward Rigby as his Dickensianly-monikered, sagely, steward "Scatters" and the scene stealing Lionel Barrymore as his father. It culminates in some fine rowing scenes that reminded my of why I ever watched the famous Varsity (Oxford v Cambridge) Boat Race - I always wanted one of them to sink! It's gently light-hearted and fun - an interesting observation on two nations separated by the same tongue.

Media

Status:

Released

Original Language:

English

Budget:

$1,374,000.00

Revenue:

$2,736,000.00

Keywords

sports
oxford
rowing
american in the uk
oxford university
boat race