Master of Bankdam
| Master of Bankdam | |
|---|---|
 1-sheet theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Walter Forde |
| Screenplay by | Edward Dryhurst Moie Charles (additional dialogue) |
| Produced by | Edward Dryhurst Walter Forde |
| Starring | Anne Crawford Dennis Price Tom Walls Stephen Murray Linden Travers David Tomlinson |
| Cinematography | Basil Emmott |
| Edited by | Terence Fisher |
| Music by | Arthur Benjamin |
Production company | Holbein Films |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Master of Bankdam is a 1947 British historical film directed by Walter Forde from the novel, The Crowthers of Bankdam, by Thomas Armstrong.[1] It stars Anne Crawford, Dennis Price, Tom Walls, Stephen Murray, Linden Travers and David Tomlinson. The screenplay concerns two generations of brothers who struggle for control of the family business in 19th-century Yorkshire.
Plot
The film is the story of Bankdam, a small Yorkshire Mill. Run by the Crowther family, around 1860 it prospers and grows under its patriarch owner, Simeon Crowther. After family upheavals the firm goes through several crises under the management of his sons Zebediah and Joshua, who tend in oppose one and other. Joshua dies with many others in Mill collapse, partially blamed on his brother Zebediah. Joshua's role is taken over by his son Simeon. The old patriarch, Simeon dies. Zebediah with ill health retires to Vienna for treatment leaving his son, Lancelot Handel, with power of attorney in his absence. Things at the Mill deteriorate and a fatally ill, Zebediah returns and, with a mob outside the door, in a final scene he makes amends and entrusts Bankdam, not to his own son, but to Simeon as he realises that he is the only person that can save Bankham.
Cast
- Anne Crawford - Annie Pickersgill
- Dennis Price - Joshua Crowther
- Tom Walls - Simeon Crowther Senior
- Stephen Murray - Zebediah Crowther
- Linden Travers - Clara Baker
- Jimmy Hanley - Simeon Crowther Junior
- Nancy Price - Lydia Crowther
- David Tomlinson - Lancelot Handel Crowther
- Patrick Holt - Lemvel Pickersgill
- Herbert Lomas - Tom France
- Frederick Piper - Ben Pickersgill
- Beatrice Varley - Mrs Pickersgill
- Raymond Rollettt - Handel Baker
- April Stride - Sophie Teresa Crowther
- Avis Scott - Mary Crowther
- Nicholas Parsons - Edgar Hoylehouse
- Maria Var - The Singer
- Shelagh Fraser - Alice France
- Edgar K.Bruce - Ezra Hoylehouse
- Frank Henderson - Dr Clough
- Aubrey Mallalieu - Dr Bouviere
- Kenneth Buckley - Brough
- Lyn Evans - Shires
- Bertram Shuttlesworth - Shires
- Amy Veness - Mrs Pilling
Production
It was produced by Walter Forde and Edward Dryhurst, and directed by Walter Forde.. It was adapted for screen by Edward Dryhurst with additional dialogue by Moie Charles. The music is by Arthur Benjamin, performed by London Philharmonic and conducted by Muir Mathieson.[2][3] There is also evidence that it was produced by Ernest G. Roy of Nettlefold Studios according to his death notices.
The film was made by Holbein Films at Nettlefold Studios, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. It was produced by Rank Films and distributed by Prestige Films.[4]
References
- ^ The Crowthers of Bankdam by Thomas Armstrong, (ISBN 9780002211024) published by Collins
- ^ British Film Institute http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/42116
- ^ Film summary, in relation to the musical content, in the book Music and psychology: from Vienna to London, 1939-52 ISBN 978-0-9540123-1-1, by Hans Keller edited by Christopher Wintle Page 158
- ^ New York Times 17 October 1949 http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B06E3D91E3EE03BBC4F52DFB6678382659EDE
External links
- Master of Bankdam at IMDb
- All Movie website Hal Erickson's review
- Music and psychology: from Vienna to London, 1939-52 at Google books
- Review at British Pictures web site
- New York Times web site Review by BOSLEY CROWTHER Published: 17 October 1949
- Review of film at Variety
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