The Great Garrick
The Great Garrick is a 1937 American historical comedy film directed by James Whale and starring Brian Aherne, Olivia de Havilland, and Edward Everett Horton. The film also features Lionel Atwill, Luis Alberni, Melville Cooper, and future star Lana Turner, who has a bit part. Based on the play Ladies and Gentlemen by Ernest Vajda, the film is about the famous eighteenth century British actor David Garrick, who travels to France for a guest appearance at the Comdie Franaise. When the French actors hear rumours that he said he will teach them the art of acting, they devise a plot to teach him a lesson. Though often overlooked by critics in favor of Whales horror films, the The Great Garrick was chosen by Jonathan Rosenbaum for his alternative list of the Top 100 American Films.
On his way to Paris, Garrick is met by Jean Cabot Etienne Girardot, an admirer who works as a ComdieFranaise prompter. Cabot warns the actor about the plot and advises him to travel straight to Paris, but Garrick decides to continue on to the inn and play along with French actors, despite the misgivings of his servant Tubby Edward Everett Horton. A complication arises when Germaine Dupont, Countess de la Corbe Olivia De Havilland, arrives at the inn soon after. Garrick believes she is one of the actresses and not a very good one, when she is actually fleeing a marriage arranged by her father. She falls in love with Garrick, and he plays along.Meanwhile, the French try to discomfort the Englishman with a sword fight, a shootout between a husband and his wifes lover, a mad waiter Luis Alberni, and at the end, a violent blacksmith Trevor Bardette. After overhearing the blacksmith remind himself to hit the anvil with his hammer and not Garricks head, Garrick disguises himself as the blacksmith and, pretending to be drunk, tells the aghast French actors that he has struck and killed their intended victim. Then he reveals his identity. Relieved, Picard apologizes and begs him to join them in Paris. Garrick graciously accepts. Before they leave, however, he criticizes Germaine for her bad acting, infuriating her. ........
Source: Wikipedia
