Song of the Plough, later re-released with the alternative title Country Fair,[citation needed] is a 1933 British drama film directed by John Baxter and starring Stewart Rome, Rosalinde Fuller and Allan Jeayes.[1] The screenplay concerns an English farmer who is saved from financial ruin when his dog wins at a sheepdog trials.
| Song of the Plough | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | John Baxter |
| Written by | Reginald Pound |
| Produced by | Ivar Campbell |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | George Stretton |
| Edited by | David Lean |
| Music by | Colin Wark |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 68 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Cast
edit- Stewart Rome as Farmer Freeland
- Rosalinde Fuller as Miss Freeland
- Allan Jeayes as Joe Saxby
- Hay Petrie as farmhand
- Kenneth Kove as Archie
- Jack Livesey as squire's son
- Edgar Driver as barber
- James Harcourt as doctor
- Freddie Watts as bandsman
- Albert Richardson as singer
Production
editThe film was a quota quickie made for distribution by the American company MGM. It was filmed at Shepperton Studios with location shooting on a farm in Sussex.
Reception
editThe Daily Film Renter wrote: "Narrative is slender and so contrived as to stress unjustness of tithe system and potentialities of the land in national prosperity. Rather overlong tap-room vocalism holds up plot, but is productive of amusing moments."[2]
Picture Show wrote: "The superb pastoral beauty of England is shown with such artistry in this film, that it is a pity the story is so weak, for it merely shows us a farmer saved from ruin by winning the local sheepdog trials. Delightful glimpses of village life and characters. It is worth seeing for its beauty alone."[3]
The film received a poor review from The Observer critic C. A. Lejeune, but she was forced to withdraw this following numerous letters in support of the film. The film proved unexpectedly popular when it was released.[4]
References
edit- ↑ "Song of the Plough". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑ "Song of the Plough". The Daily Film Renter (2114): 4. 2 December 1933. ProQuest 3127087060.
- ↑ "Song of the Plough". Picture Show. 31 (790): 19. 23 June 1934. ProQuest 1880322507.
- ↑ Chibnall, Steve (2007). Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute. p. 124. ISBN 978-1844571550.