This movie is a musical adaptation of the novel about the life of a schoolteacher, Mr. Chipping, written by the James Hilton. The book was first adapted into movie form back in 1939 (also a great movie). This version is a modification of both the novel and the original version. It’s placed later in history – around World War II instead of WWI; Chipping is married longer; meets his wife differently; and, it’s a musical (instead of a “normal” drama / romance movie). I have not read the novel, but I have seen the 1939 version several times before. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find it somewhere and watch it again so I can do a review from a fresh viewing. This was my first viewing of this movie!
Mr. Chipping is a staid and stern housemaster at an English public school. (That’s a “private” school to those of us in the U.S.) The boarding school is where the upper crust of society send their boys to learn to be proper British gentlemen. Chipping teaches Latin and Greek. He gets talked into going to a play to see the future bride of a friend. The lady doesn’t realize this is the “arrangement”. Chipping unknowingly embarrasses himself and his friend. Chipping goes on his holiday (vacation) to Pompeii, where he coincidentally meets the lady again. As he is an expert on Greece, she asks him to be her tour guide for the day – which he does. They hit it off and she falls in love with him (and he her). Blah, blah, blah. Mild comedy and laughter ensues. They marry and she returns to school with him. They become popular at the school. She dies during the war. He spends the remaining years of his life at the school.
The movie stars Peter O’Toole as Arthur Chipping (“Mr. Chips”), Petula Clark as Katherine Bridges / Chipping, Michael Redgrave as The Headmaster, George Baker as Lord Sutterwick (the wealthy donor who is at odds with Chipping due to his own previously sordid background), Siân Phillips as Ursula Mossbank (a famous actress who has a “background” with Lord Sutterwick), and Michael Bryant as Max Staefel (a German teacher who “must” return to Germany). Phillips is “simply marvelous” in her take on being a famous actress. Bryant is also impressive in his subtle expressions. In fact, I repeated several scenes just to re-watch his facial reactions.
So, is this movie any good? Does it work as a musical? And, did I enjoy a rom-com musical? Yes. Mostly yes. Emphatically yes! I know I’ve seen Peter O’Toole in other roles (obviously “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Becket“), but I really think this is my new favorite role for him. He was nominated for the Oscar and a Golden Glove for Best Actor for this role. One of his eight Oscar nominations for Best Actor. (He holds the lifetime record for nominations without a win.) Interestingly, his wife (Siân Phillips) at the time was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her role (Mossbank). He won the Golden Glove. She did not.
As a musical, the movie is not “great” – in my opinion. With the exception of “Fill the World With Love” (see videos below) only a couple of the other songs were entertaining, let alone memorable. This is partly why the movie was panned by the critics on its release. In fact, I understand several of the songs were removed from the theatrical release because initial audience reviews were so poor. The songs have been re-added for the “TCM” version which I watched. The result is the movie is a “classic” movie with an introduction, intermission and exit production which add almost 15 minutes to the viewing time. The total run time I watched was over the 2hrs 35min of the “official” run time. But, it is worth it!!
Final recommendation: VERY highly recommended. While at one level, this is the story of one man’s struggle with the apparent mediocrity of his life, at a more profound level it is a love story – personal (husband and wife) and general (Chippings love for knowledge, teaching, manners and character). I am sure some will find this a bit of a “chic flick” and a tear-jerker. I did not find it the former. I did find it the latter. But then, I often find movies about character and integrity (and love stories) to be tear-jerkers. So, get the Kleenex ready.
As a “bonus” for this review I am including two videos. The first two verses of this song are performed by: Petula Clark (from the 1969 musical: “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”). The last verse is performed by Peter O’Toole and is slightly different from the “actual” lyrics as he is singing to his deceased wife at the end of the film. (Listen for the “Shhsh” and watch for Bryant / Staefel’s expression during Clark’s singing. Priceless!!)
I sang this song many times back in my senior year of high school. It was the first year of our high school choir – and they were taking anyone who was willing to volunteer to sing in public. LOL. I did not know the song was only a few years old. Nor did I know it came from a movie / musical. But then, I had not seen either version of this movie – 1939 or 1969. I think I’m better for now having seen both. If you can find them, I highly recommend them!
[Obviously, the lyrics are not taken from this particular video. The video was selected because I wanted to show the group at that time period. The lyrics are from various other versions – the 45 and other live versions. — KMAB]
I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well. Unfortunately, I am confined to this theme by the narrowness of my experience.
