Big Fella
Big Fella is a 1937 British musical drama film directed by J. Elder Wills and starring Paul Robeson, Elisabeth Welch and Roy Emerton. It is loosely based on the novel Banjo by Harlem Renaissance writer Claude McKay.
| Big Fella | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | J. Elder Wills |
| Produced by | Henry Passmore J. Elder Wills |
| Written by | Ingram D'Abbes Fenn Sherie |
| Based on | Banjo by Claude McKay |
| Starring | Paul Robeson Elisabeth Welch Roy Emerton James Hayter |
| Music by | G. H. Clutsam Wilhelm Grosz Eric Ansell Jack Beaver |
| Cinematography | Cyril Bristow George Stretton H.A.R. Thomson |
| Edited by | Brereton Porter Douglas Robertson |
Release date |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
Big Fella is set on the docks and streets of Marseilles. Paul Robeson stars in the leading role, as a street-wise but honest dockworker who struggles with deep issues of integrity and human values. Elisabeth Welch plays opposite him as a café singer in love with him. Robeson's wife, Eslanda Robeson, appears as the café owner.[1]
Reception
The movie received praise, particularly for the music, featuring Robeson and Welch, Robeson's performance.
Cast
- Paul Robeson as Banjo
- Elisabeth Welch as Amanda 'Manda'
- Roy Emerton as Spike
- James Hayter as Chuck
- Lawrence Brown as Corney
- Eldon Gorst as Gerald Oliphant
- Marcelle Rogez as Marietta
- Eric Cowley as Ferdy Oliphant
- Joyce Kennedy as Mrs. Oliphant
- Dino Galvani as Gendarme
- Anthony Holles as Gendarme
- Margaret Rutherford as Nanny
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References
- "MRS. ROBESON DOES EXIST". The Queenslander. 12 January 1938. p. 10. Retrieved 5 August 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
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