Valley of Song
Valley of Song | |
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![]() Original British quad poster | |
Directed by | Gilbert Gunn |
Screenplay by | Phil Park Cliff Gordon |
Based on | the play Choir Practice by Cliff Gordon |
Produced by | Vaughan N. Dean |
Starring | Mervyn Johns Clifford Evans Rachel Thomas |
Cinematography | Lionel Banes |
Edited by | Richard Best |
Music by | Robert Gill |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Associated British-Pathé (UK) |
Release date |
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Running time | 72 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Valley of Song is a 1953 British comedy drama film directed by Gilbert Gunn and starring Mervyn Johns, Clifford Evans, Maureen Swanson and the London Welsh Association Choral Society.[2] It marked the film debut of actress Rachel Roberts.[3] It was released in the U.S. as Men Are Children Twice.[4]
Premise[]
Fierce rivalries flare to the surface in a small Welsh town over a coveted role in the local choir.
Cast[]
- Mervyn Johns - Minister Griffiths
- Clifford Evans - Geraint Llewellyn
- Maureen Swanson - Olwen Davies
- John Fraser - Cliff Lloyd
- Rachel Thomas - Mrs. Lloyd
- Betty Cooper - Mrs. Davies
- Rachel Roberts - Bessie Lewis
- Hugh Pryse - Lloyd, Undertaker
- Edward Evans - Davies
- Kenneth Williams - Lloyd the Haulage
- Alun Owen - Pritchard
- Ronald Lewis Uncredited
Production[]
Filmed on location in Carmarthenshire in 1952, as well as at Elstree Studios, Valley of Song marks the first film appearance of Rachel Roberts and the first film credit of Kenneth Williams, both of whom worked together in Swansea repertory theatre in 1950 under the directorship of Clifford Evans, who also stars in the film. [1]
Release[]
After the initial trade screening to cinema bookers on 26 February 1953, Valley of Song had four simultaneous World premieres in Wales, opening at cinemas in Cardiff, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, and Swansea, all on 13 April 1953. [1]
Critical reception[]
Eye for Film noted "an enjoyable if somewhat low-key story which, at 72 minutes in length, would make for a suitably harmonious Sunday afternoon. From the whistle of the steam trains, to the film’s score, provided courtesy of the London Welsh Association Choral Society, Valley Of Song is a pleasing if utterly unchallenging delight."[5]
References[]
- ^ a b c "75 Years of Choir Practice". Art & Hue. 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ "Valley of Song (1953)". Archived from the original on 17 January 2009.
- ^ https://www.allmovie.com/artist/rachel-roberts-p60655/filmography
- ^ "Valley of Song (1953) - Gilbert Gunn - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
- ^ "Valley Of Song (1953) Movie Review from Eye for Film". www.eyeforfilm.co.uk.
External links[]
- 1953 films
- English-language films
- 1953 comedy-drama films
- British films
- British comedy-drama films
- Films shot at Elstree Studios
- Films set in Wales
- Films directed by Gilbert Gunn
- British black-and-white films
- 1950s British film stubs
- Comedy-drama film stubs