Valley of Song
{{Short description|1953 British film by Gilbert Gunn}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Valley of Song
| image = Valley_of_Song_(1953_film).jpg
| caption = Original British quad poster
| director = Gilbert Gunn
| producer = Vaughan N. Dean
| screenplay = Phil Park
Cliff Gordon
| based_on = the play Choir Practice by Cliff Gordon
| starring = Mervyn Johns
Clifford Evans
Rachel Thomas
| music = Robert Gill
| cinematography = Lionel Banes
| editing = Richard Best
| studio = Associated British Picture Corporation
| distributor = Associated British-Pathé {{small|(UK)}}
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1953|04|13|UK}}{{cite web|url=https://artandhue.com/75-years-of-choir-practice/|title=75 Years of Choir Practice |work=Art & Hue |date=2021 |access-date=8 April 2021}}
| runtime = 72 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| budget =
}}
Valley of Song is a 1953 British comedy drama film directed by Gilbert Gunn and starring Mervyn Johns, Clifford Evans, Maureen Swanson and the London Welsh Association Choral Society.{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/56301|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117233939/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/56301|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-01-17|title=Valley of Song (1953)}} It marked the film debut of actress Rachel Roberts.{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/rachel-roberts-p60655/filmography | title=Rachel Roberts | Movies and Filmography }} The film was released in the U.S. as Men Are Children Twice.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/valley-of-song-v115386|title=Valley of Song (1953) - Gilbert Gunn - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie|publisher=AllMovie}}
Premise
Fierce rivalries flare to the surface in a small Welsh town over a coveted role in the local choir.
Cast
- Mervyn Johns as Minister Griffiths
- Clifford Evans as Geraint Llewellyn
- Maureen Swanson as Olwen Davies
- John Fraser as Cliff Lloyd
- Rachel Thomas as Mrs. Lloyd
- Betty Cooper as Mrs. Davies
- Rachel Roberts as Bessie Lewis
- Hugh Pryse as Lloyd, Undertaker
- Edward Evans as Davies
- Kenneth Williams as Lloyd the Haulage
- Alun Owen as Pritchard
- Ronald Lewis as Uncredited role
- Desmond Llewelyn as Lloyd the Schoolmaster
Production
Filmed on location in Carmarthenshire in 1952, as well as at Elstree Studios, Valley of Song marks the first film appearance of Rachel Roberts and the first film credit of Kenneth Williams, both of whom worked together in Swansea repertory theatre in 1950 under the directorship of Clifford Evans, who also stars in the film.
Release
Critical reception
Eye for Film noted "an enjoyable if somewhat low-key story which, at 72 minutes in length, would make for a suitably harmonious Sunday afternoon. From the whistle of the steam trains, to the film’s score, provided courtesy of the London Welsh Association Choral Society, Valley of Song is a pleasing if utterly unchallenging delight."{{cite web|url=https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/valley-of-song-1953-film-review-by-merlin-harries|title=Valley Of Song (1953) Movie Review from Eye for Film|website=eyeforfilm.co.uk}}
References
External links
- {{IMDb title|0046490}}
{{Gilbert Gunn}}
Category:1953 comedy-drama films
Category:British comedy-drama films
Category:Films shot at Associated British Studios
Category:Films directed by Gilbert Gunn
Category:British black-and-white films
Category:1950s English-language films
Category:English-language comedy-drama films
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