Goodbye Mr Chips (1939 Sam Wood)

The second in our Robert Donat double feature, here winning his Oscar after being beautifully aged by Jack Dawn (apparently, it's not credited; there was no makeup Oscar then). And very good he is too, gradually thawing after meeting charming Greer Garson and teaching a variety of odious schoolboys, the worst of which is played by Terry Kilburn (who somehow manages to age into John Mills!).

Paul 'von' Henreid is a likeable German teacher and Austin Trevor is a headmaster.

Of the writers' own educations, James Hilton (novel) was at Leys School Cambridge, RC Sherriff at Kingston Grammar, and Eric Maschwitz went to Repton School, Derbyshire (Claudine West's place of education unknown at present time), so none of them august public schools like the one here, designed by Alfred Junge at MGM British. Those of us that did experience same sex schools and Latin will find certain reminiscences in the film that may be pleasant or not.

The last shot always makes me want to puke but the rest of the film is both as charming and odious as a schoolboy.

Shot by Freddie Young. Music by Richard Addinsell. Edited by Charles Frend.