Big Fella (1937)
1937 · Feature film · 71 min · dir. J. Elder Wills
- Music
- Drama
Synopsis
Singing Marseilles docker Joe is hired by wealthy English couple, the Oliphants, to find their missing son Gerald. When Joe finds him, he learns Gerald escaped of his own will and takes him to stay with a local singer, who offers a refuge from his repressed white parents.
Synopsis from TMDb
Details
- Director
- J. Elder Wills
- Writer
- Fenn Sherie
- Composer
- Eric Ansell
- Studio
- Beaconsfield Productions, British Lion Films
- Released
- 1938-01-03
- Running time
- 71 minutes
Cast & crew
- J. Elder Wills Director
Paul Robeson- Elisabeth Welch
Roy Emerton
James Hayter
Lawrence Brown- Eldon Gorst
Marcelle Rogez- Eric Cowley
Reviews on the Internet Archive
★★★★★ · A film to make the "Best of the Internet Archive" lists · Robert B. Livingston · 2012-01-03
This film is a joy. Set in Marseilles, it is largely a vehicle to showcase Paul Robeson and Elisabeth Welch's timeless singing talents. Robeson's voice is matchless. One can certainly enjoy the film for the music alone, but the simple story is charming, the performances also. Robeson's character is understated but magnetic, while the little English boy, upon whom the plot revolves, is a scene stealer!
★★★★ · Wonderful voice · mesiw · 2010-02-22
Nice movie staring Paul Robeson and his great voice. The story line was interesting and the ending twist was just right. Paul Robeson may be remembered most for singing Ol Man River from Showboat. The movie is worth 4 stars just for his singing.
★★★★ · This was VERY GOOD, despite the singing... · kareneliot · 2010-06-27
I don't like musicals, and this one was especially annoying to me, but if it weren't for that - it'd be a five star film based on the story and acting.
