Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writers:

James Hilton (novel)
Terence Rattigan (screenplay)

Release Date:

9 December 1969 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

He is a shy schoolmaster. She is a music hall star. They marry and immediately have 283 children...all boys!

Plot:

A shy, withdrawn English schoolteacher falls for a flashy showgirl.

Plot Keywords:

Schoolteacher | Love | Death Of Wife | Dedicated Teacher | School

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Peter O'Toole	...	Arthur Chipping
Petula Clark	...	Katherine Bridges
Michael Redgrave	...	The Headmaster
Alison Leggatt	...	Headmaster's Wife
Siân Phillips	...	Ursula Mossbank
Michael Bryant	...	Max Staefel
George Baker	...	Lord Sutterwick
Jenny Runacre
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Audreson
Leo Britt	...	Elder Master
Barbara Couper	...	Mrs. Paunceforth
Michael Culver	...	Johnny Longbridge
Elspet Gray	...	Lady Sutterwick
Clinton Greyn	...	Bill Calbury
John Gugolka	...	Sutterwick Jr.
Patricia Hayes	...	Miss Honeybun
Jack Hedley	...	William Baxter
Barbara Knox
Jeremy Lloyd	...	Johnson
Mario Maranzana	...	Pompeii Guide
Elspeth March	...	Mrs. Summersthwaite
Craig Marriott	...	New Boy
Jack May	...	Price
Clive Morton	...	General Paunceforth
Tom Owen	...	Farley
Michael Ridgeway	...	David
Sheila Steafel	...	Tilly
Ronnie Stevens	...	Algie
Royston Tickner	...	Policeman

Runtime:

USA:155 min | 152 min (original version) | 148 min (video version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Mono (35 mm prints)

Certification:

UK:PG (video rating) | UK:U (original rating) | Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:G

Filming Locations:

59 Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick, London, England, UK

Company:

APJAC Productions

Trivia:

Originally cast in the lead roles were Rex Harrison and Samantha Eggar, who were replaced by Richard Burton and Lee Remick. When MGM opted to replace Remick with Petula Clark, based on her reviews and Golden Globe nomination for Finian's Rainbow (1968), Burton balked at playing opposite a "singer" rather than an "actress", so Peter O'Toole was cast instead.

Quotes:

Chips: Is my wife here?
Ursula: Wife? Which wife, darling?
Chips: She was called Katherine Bridges.
Ursula: Katie? Of course she's here! Did you say 'wife,' darling?
Chips: Yes.
Ursula: Well, that would make you her husband, wouldn't it?
Chips: Yes, it would.
Ursula: Then she's not here, darling. She's nowhere near the place.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

When I Am Older

Great Story, Great Music

I saw this film when it first came out, and didn't know what to expect exactly. What followed the Overture was one of the most pleasurable filmgoing experiences I have ever had. A lush score of songs and music by Britisher Leslie Bricusse (of Doctor Doolittle & Wilie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory fame as well as making his mark on the Broadway musical scene), and scored by the incomparable John Williams. There's not a bad song in the entire film. Plus some of the most exquisite cinematography, costume design and filming locations I have ever seen in one film. Not to mention the Academy Award nominated performance by Peter O'Toole, and the equally strong performance, in my opinion, by the wonderful Petula Clark. Now, given that Peter is not the same caliber a singer that Petula is, he still manages to sell his songs to the audience, and that, after all, is what it is all about. This is a faithful adaptation of the excellent book by James Hilton, and deserves to be treasured for generations to come. I recommend this film for family viewing, though most men will consider this a 'chick' flick. But if you like a truly great film musical, then this film is for you. But be warned that a standby box of Kleenex is just as important as popcorn for your viewing pleasure.