Lady Godiva of Coventry

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Lady Godiva of Coventry
LadyGodivafilmposter.jpg
Theatrical release poster by Reynold Brown
Directed by Arthur Lubin
Written by Harry Ruskin
Oscar Brodney
Based onStory by Oscar Brodney
Produced by Robert Arthur
Starring Maureen O'Hara
George Nader
Victor McLaglen
Rex Reason
Cinematography Carl Guthrie
Edited by Paul Weatherwax
Music by Hans J. Salter (uncredited)
Frank Skinner (uncredited)
Production
company
Universal Pictures
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date
  • November 2, 1955 (1955-11-02)(United States)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Lady Godiva of Coventry is a 1955 American Technicolor historical drama film, directed by Arthur Lubin. It starred Maureen O'Hara in the title role. Alec Harford, the English actor who portrayed Tom the Tailor, died eight months before the film's release.

Contents

Plot

The film is set in 11th-century England. King Edward the Confessor wants the Saxon Lord Leofric, who rules Coventry, to marry a Norman woman, Yolanda. When he refuses, he is sentenced to jail, where he meets Godiva, the sheriff's sister. The two fall in love and soon they are wed. The times are turbulent and Godiva proves a militant bride; unhistorically, unrest between the Anglo-Saxon populace and the increasingly influential Norman French lead to her famous ride.

Cast

Production

In early 1954, it was announced that Maureen O'Hara would star in the film based on a script by Oscar Brodney produced by Robert Arthur. [4] It was made at Universal, where O'Hara had a one-film-a-year contract. The script was described as "semi-historical". [5]

Lex Barker was reportedly going to play the male lead but O'Hara objected, claiming audiences would only see him as Tarzan. [6] Jeff Chandler was signed instead. [7] Victor McLaglen joined the cast as Chandler's helper. [8]

Shortly before filming began, however, Chandler was replaced by a Universal contractee, George Nader. Chandler was still making Foxfire which would finish only a day before Godiva was scheduled to start and wanted a break. Nader had previously replaced Chandler on Five Rivers to Cross after the star was suspended by the studio due to a contract dispute. [9]

Arthur Lubin was assigned to direct. He said he did not want to but the studio would put him under suspension if he refused. He later called it "a bad picture". [10]

Filming started on 30 August 1954. [11]

Rex Reason joined the cast. He had previously been acting for Universal under the name "Bart Roberts" but for this film the studio allowed him to use his real name. [12]

Maureen O'Hara filmed the famous ride wearing a leotard, with her long hair covering the rest of her body. Arthur Lubin said he was inspired by the painting of Landseer. [13] The sequence was shot on a closed set. [14]

Reception

Diabolique magazine wrote in 2019, "Why this movie tanked compared to other colourful costume periods of the time is a mystery – it’s bright and cheerful and stars Maureen O’Hara in all her red haired glory (she does the final ride in a body stocking, in case you’re wondering). Maybe more screen time should have been devoted to her rather than her leading man, Universal’s back up Jeff Chandler, George Nader, but I’ve always liked this movie – like so much of Lubin’s output, it was perfect Saturday afternoon TV fodder when I was growing up." [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<i>Lady Godiva</i> (1911 film) 1911 film

Lady Godiva is a 1911 American silent historical drama film directed by J. Stuart Blackton and produced by Vitagraph Studios in Brooklyn, New York. Its scenario is based on a legendary incident in the life of Godiva, Countess of Mercia, who lived in England during the mid-11th century. Allegedly, the Anglo-Saxon noblewoman rode naked—covered only by her long hair—through the streets of Coventry to protest and abolish an oppressive tax imposed on that town's residents by her husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia. The film, copies of which survive today, stars Julia Swayne Gordon in the title role with a supporting cast including Robert Maillard, Harold Wilson, and Kate Price.

References

  1. ↑ "'Lady Godiva' Adds Two". The Hollywood Reporter. 9 September 1954. p. 3. ProQuest   2338241451. Alma Lawton and Riza Royce have been signed by U-I for featured roles in 'Lady Godiva of Coventry.'
  2. ↑ "Briefs From the Lots". Variety. 29 September 1954. p. 20. ProQuest   962658637. Alma Lawton and Riza Royce joined the 'Lady Godiva of Coventry' cast at U...'
  3. ↑ YouTube Movies & TV. "Lady Godiva". YouTube.
  4. ↑ "Drama: Merian Cooper Paid Honor in Washington". Los Angeles Times. 25 February 1954. p. A12.
  5. ↑ Thomas M. Pryor (25 February 1954). "IT'S BEEN 14 YEARS AND FILMS CHANGE: So Pine-Thomas (We Want to Make a Million) Switch to Million-Dollar Movies". New York Times. p. 25.
  6. ↑ Hopper, Hedda (14 August 1954). "Looking at Hollywood: One Good Role Brings Another for Bob Stack". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 14.
  7. ↑ Parsons, Louella (10 July 1954). "Boss Plans to Keep Jeff Hopping". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. p. 6.
  8. ↑ Thomas M. Pryor (23 August 1954). "HESTON KEPT BUSY IN 4 SCREEN ROLES: Completing 2 for Paramount, He Is Set for Films With de Mille and Universal". New York Times. p. 21.
  9. ↑ Thomas M. Pryor (26 August 1954). "NADER TO REPLACE CHANDLER 2D TIME: Actor Will Be Co-Star With Maureen O'Hara in 'Lady Godiva' Film at U.-I". New York Times. p. 24.
  10. ↑ Davis, Roland L. (2005). Just Making Movies: Company Directors on the Studio System. University of Press Mississippi. p. 184. ISBN   978-1-57806-690-2.
  11. ↑ Schallert, Edwin (14 August 1954). "Brisson Will Produce Saroyan Stage Musical; Widmark Mulls Three". Los Angeles Times. p. 11.
  12. ↑ Edwin Schallert (4 September 1954). "Leo Genn Purchases Old Mexico Story; Rex Reason's Name Restored". Los Angeles Times. p. 11.
  13. ↑ Philip K Scheuer (5 September 1954). "A TOWN CALLED HOLLYWOOD: Lady Godiva, Member of Horsy Set, to Ride Again". Los Angeles Times. p. D2.
  14. ↑ Hollywood (12 September 1954). "LONE RANGER". New York Times. p. X5.
  15. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2019). "The Cinema of Arthur Lubin". Diabolique Magazine.
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