South Riding is a 1938 British drama film directed by Victor Saville and produced by Alexander Korda, starring Edna Best, Ralph Richardson, Edmund Gwenn and Ann Todd. It was the film debut of a 15-year-old Glynis Johns. It is based on the 1936 novel South Riding by Winifred Holtby. The BBC produced a TV adaptation in 2011.
Plot
A squire becomes involved in local politics.
Cast
Edna Best as Sarah Burton
Ralph Richardson as Robert Carne
Edmund Gwenn as Alfred Huggins
Ann Todd as Madge Carne
Marie Lohr as Mrs. Beddows
Milton Rosmer as Alderman Snaith
John Clements as Joe Astell
Edward Lexy as Mr. Holly
Joan Ellum as Lydia Holly
Glynis Johns as Midge Carne (first credited film appearance) Josephine Wilson as Mrs. Holly Gus McNaughton as Tadman Herbert Lomas as Castle Peggy Novak as Bessie Warbuckle Lewis Casson as Lord Sedgmire Felix Aylmer as Chairman of Council Jean Cadell as Miss Dry Skelton Knaggs as Reginald Aythorne
Production
Hugh Stewart who edited it called it "one of the very best scripts ever written".
Critical reception
TV Guide wrote, "Not an altogether satisfying love story, it is more interesting as a portrait of pre-WW II life in the country. Excellent sets by Meerson and well shot by Stradling"; while Time Out wrote, "Saville carries Winifred Holtby's tart, witty exposé of Yorkshire power politics to the screen with breathtaking, and totally unexpected, panache." Leonard Maltin called it "Smoothly made and superbly acted by a flawless cast."