Lady Godiva of Coventry

Last updated

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Godiva</span> 11th-century Anglo-Saxon noblewoman and figure of legend

Lady Godiva, in Old English Godgifu, was a late Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who is relatively well documented as the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and a patron of various churches and monasteries.

<i>The Redhead from Wyoming</i> 1953 film by Lee Sholem

The Redhead from Wyoming is a 1953 American Western film produced by Leonard Goldstein and directed by Lee Sholem. It stars Maureen O'Hara as a saloon proprietress who becomes embroiled in a range war and Alex Nicol as the sheriff who tries to prevent it. The supporting cast includes William Bishop as a politician who provokes the war and Alexander Scourby as a prominent cattle rancher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leofric, Earl of Mercia</span> Earl of Mercia

Leofric was an Earl of Mercia. He founded monasteries at Coventry and Much Wenlock and was a very powerful earl under King Cnut and his successors. Leofric was the husband of Lady Godiva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Chandler</span> American actor (1918–1961)

Jeff Chandler was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of Cochise in Broken Arrow (1950), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was one of Universal Pictures' more popular male stars of the 1950s. His other credits include Sword in the Desert (1948), Deported (1950), Female on the Beach (1955), and Away All Boats (1956). In addition to his acting in film, he was known for his role in the radio program Our Miss Brooks, as Phillip Boynton, her fellow teacher and clueless object of affection, and for his musical recordings.

<i>The First Traveling Saleslady</i> 1956 film by Arthur Lubin

The First Traveling Saleslady is a 1956 American western comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Ginger Rogers, Carol Channing and Barry Nelson. Commercially unsuccessful, it was among the films that helped to close the already struggling RKO Pictures. Future western stars Clint Eastwood and James Arness have supporting roles in the film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Nader</span> American actor and writer (1921–2002)

George Garfield Nader, Jr. was an American actor and writer of Lebanese descent. He appeared in a variety of films from 1950 to 1974, including Sins of Jezebel (1953), Congo Crossing (1956), and The Female Animal (1958). During this period, he also did episodic television and starred in several series, including NBC's The Man and the Challenge (1959–60). In the 1960s he made several films in Germany, playing FBI agent Jerry Cotton. He is remembered for his first starring role, in the low-budget 3-D sci-fi film Robot Monster (1953), known as "one of the worst films ever made.”

Oscar Brodney was an American lawyer-turned-screenwriter. He is best known for his long association with Universal Studios, where his credits included Harvey, The Glenn Miller Story (1954), several Francis movies and the Tammy series.

<i>Away All Boats</i> 1956 film by Joseph Pevney

Away All Boats is a 1956 American war film directed by Joseph Pevney and starring Jeff Chandler, George Nader, Lex Barker, and Julie Adams. It was produced by Howard Christie from a screenplay by Ted Sherdeman based on the 1953 novel by Kenneth M. Dodson (1907–1999), who served on the USS Pierce (APA-50) in World War II and used his experiences there as a guide for his novel. He was encouraged in his writing by Carl Sandburg, who had read some of Dodson’s letters, written in the Pacific. The book is about the crew of the Belinda (APA-22), an amphibious attack transport. The book became a best seller. The film was produced by Universal Pictures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Lubin</span> American film director (1898–1995)

Arthur Lubin was an American film director and producer who directed several Abbott & Costello films, Phantom of the Opera (1943), the Francis the Talking Mule series and created the talking-horse TV series Mister Ed. A prominent director for Universal Pictures in the 1940s and 1950s, he is perhaps best known today as the man who gave Clint Eastwood his first contract in film.

<i>Francis in the Navy</i> 1955 film by Arthur Lubin

Francis in the Navy is a 1955 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Stanley Rubin and directed by Arthur Lubin. The film stars Donald O'Connor and Martha Hyer, and marked the first credited film role of Clint Eastwood. The distinctive voice of Francis is a voice-over by actor Chill Wills.

<i>Francis</i> (film) 1950 film by Arthur Lubin

Francis is a 1950 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International that launched the Francis the Talking Mule film series. Francis is produced by Robert Arthur, directed by Arthur Lubin, and stars Donald O'Connor and Patricia Medina. The distinctive voice of Francis is a voice-over by actor Chill Wills.

<i>Footsteps in the Fog</i> 1955 British film by Arthur Lubin

Footsteps in the Fog is a 1955 British Technicolor Victorian-era crime thriller starring Stewart Granger and Jean Simmons, with a screenplay co-written by Lenore Coffee and Dorothy Davenport, and released by Columbia Pictures. Directed by Arthur Lubin, the film is based on the W. W. Jacobs short story "The Interruption".

<i>Francis Covers the Big Town</i> 1953 film by Arthur Lubin

Francis Covers the Big Town is a 1953 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Leonard Goldstein, directed by Arthur Lubin, that stars Donald O'Connor, Yvette Duguay, and Gene Lockhart. The distinctive voice of Francis is a voice-over by actor Chill Wills.

<i>Francis Joins the WACS</i> 1954 film by Arthur Lubin

Francis Joins the WACS is a 1954 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Ted Richmond, directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Donald O'Connor, Julie Adams, ZaSu Pitts, Mamie Van Doren and Chill Wills in two roles, including that of the distinctive voice of Francis in voice-over.

<i>War Arrow</i> 1954 film by George Sherman

War Arrow is a 1954 American Technicolor Western film directed by George Sherman and starring Maureen O'Hara, Jeff Chandler and John McIntire. Filmed by Universal Pictures and based on the Seminole Scouts, the film was shot in Agoura, California.

<i>Secrets of a Nurse</i> 1938 film by Arthur Lubin

Secrets of a Nurse is a 1938 American sports drama film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Edmund Lowe, Helen Mack, and Dick Foran.

Risky Business is a 1939 film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring George Murphy and Dorothea Kent.

<i>The Big Guy</i> 1939 film by Arthur Lubin

The Big Guy is a 1939 American drama crime film directed by Arthur Lubin starring Victor McLaglen and Jackie Cooper.

<i>Where Did You Get That Girl?</i> 1941 film by Arthur Lubin

Where Did You Get That Girl? is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Leon Errol. The title comes from the popular song of the same name, which dates to 1913 and was written by Bert Kalmar and Harry Puck. The song figures prominently in the film.

<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.
  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.