Medal for the General

"Medal for the General" is an understated, heart-warming movie that British National Films produced during the penultimate year of the war. Maurice Elvey directs with a light touch that is just right for the emotional content. This is the sort of "small" film that the British are able to bring off brilliantly, with a restraint that maintains a true-to-life spirit. Hollywood, wearing its heart on the sleeve, would have made a mess of it. Elizabeth Baron's screenplay is based on James Ronald's novel of the same title. Godfrey Tearle is marvelous as General Victor Church, sometimes irascible, sometimes lovable, always fully in character and sensitive to those fellow actors around him. Without exception, the evacuee children's parts are handled with aplomb. I cannot shout their praises loudly enough. Among them is eleven-year-old Petula Clark, who of course would go on to enjoy a chart-topping career in popular music. Fans of "Dad's Army" will recognize John Laurie (gloomy Private James Frazer) in the small but amusing role of McNab. William Alwyn composed the score, so the musical soundtrack was in capable hands.

Godfrey Tearle played the crusty old duffer in Powell & Pressburger's 'One of Our Aircraft is Missing' who inspired 'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp' (the cast of which ironically also included John Laurie, who looks older here than he did a quarter of a century later in 'Dad's Army'; and previous reviewers have already suggested why didn't the General just join the Home Guard?)

The film makes no bones about what a self-centred old curmudgeon the old man was before he swallows his pride and takes on a gaggle of cockney evacuees (including a debuting Pet Clark) rather remiscent of the war orphans brought under her wing the previous year by Deanna Durbin in 'The Amazing Mrs Holliday', who eventually soften his hard old heart.

I saw this film for the first time today and said out loud "why doesn't he join the Home Guard and help the Captain Mainwarings in Civil Defence".Geoffrey Tearle I first saw in the 1935 film with Robert Donat in "The 39 Steps" playing an arch traitor.It is a heart warming story and I thought Francoise Rosay might have played the French lady but it was Jeanne de Cassilis when I looked at the full cast list.11 year old Petula Clark who plays one of the evacuees must now be 84 since this film was produced in 1944.I thought the film direction was about right and the cast list which included a rather typical comic performance from Irene Handl as an employee at the town hall in civil defence.I awarded it 6/10.

Godfrey Tearle is a general on the retired list when World War Two breaks out. He offers his services, but he isn't wanted. Despondent, he returns to his home, shuts off the wireless, stops all the papers and tells John Laurie to admit no one. By 1944, when Jeanne de Cassalis -- sporting one of her insane accents -- drags a doctor in to see him, he has had enough. He takes his rifle into the woods and...

That's when Miss de Cassalis shows up again, with six Cockney children who have been reassigned to the district.

It;s the sort of story that turns up often enough: crusty old bachelor (occasionally it's Greer Garson) finds life and purpose in dealing with children. This is a superior version of the story, thanks to the fine performances by Tearle and Miss de Cassalis, a solid script by Elizabeth Baron and the typically impeccable direction of Maurice Elvey.

For those interested in playing spot-the-star, it's the first screen role of Petula Clarke, playing one of the children.