Robert Donat Homage at the bfi Southbank
London’s BFI Southbank has been hosting an homage to Robert Donat, who died fifty years ago (on June 9, 1958) of a chronic asthma attack at the age of 53.
In spite of his best actor Oscar (for Goodbye Mr. Chips in 1939) and his starring in Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps (1935), Donat is all but forgotten today. To the best of my knowledge, there is no Robert Donat cult, no Robert Donat midnight screenings, no Robert Donat fan websites.
Considering his current obscurity — "debonair" and "charming" are uncool qualities nowadays — and the fact that I’m always disagreeing with everybody, it should come as no surprise that Donat is one of my favorite actors of the 1930s and 1940s.
You can see the wheels turning in his performance as the idealistic teacher in the saccharine Goodbye Mr. Chips and he was badly miscast as a Chinese (!) mandarin in his last movie, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958), but he was stiff-upper-lippedly flawless in the title role in Rowland V. Lee’s The Count of Monte Cristo (1934), as the hero running for his life in the absurd but fast-moving The 39 Steps, and especially as the effete barrister in Terence Rattigan’s excellent The Winslow Boy (1948).
Partly due to ill health and partly due to his own inner demons, Donat, who worked extensively onstage, appeared in only 20 films during his 26-year career. (One of the parts he declined was the title role in Captain Blood, which turned Errol Flynn into a major star.)
This week, the bfi is screening five Donat vehicles — all but one from his later career.
The 39 Steps (1935) – 25 April–1 May
The Cure for Love (1950, which Donat, above with Renée Asherson, also directed and co-wrote) – Sun 27 Apr 20:40
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958, with Curt Jurgens and Ingrid Bergman) – Sat 26 Apr 15:20; Wed 30 Apr 17:50
Lease of Life (1954, Donat’s only movie for Ealing Studios) – Sat 26 Apr 18:20; Tue 29 Apr 18:20
The Magic Box (1951, nice-looking but stilted eulogy to British film pioneer William Friese-Greene; Maria Schell co-stars and numerous British personalities appear in cameo roles) – Mon 28 Apr 20:40
Norma Talmadge Film Series at the Donnell Media Center
PULP FICTION: Great To Be Nominated
Jane Campion’s THE PIANO: Great To Be Nominated
London’s Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008 – Thursday, April 10
London’s Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008 – Wednesday, April 9
Four Documentaries Banned from Singapore Film Festival 2008
London’s Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008 – Tuesday, April 8
London’s Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008 – Monday, April 7
Melbourne Queer Film Festival: Q&A with Festival Director Lisa Daniel
London’s Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008 – Sunday, April 6
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7 Responses to “Robert Donat Homage at the bfi Southbank”
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I too, enjoyed Donat and just had the pleasure of introducing my sister to the 39 Steps. His role as the Mandarin in ‘Inn of 6th Happiness’ was actually a gift. He was broke and I believe Ingrid Bergman paid for his insurance to be on the set. And since he was never bad, and given the other bizarre casting, he did pretty damn well. And of course, his last words in the film were his last words in any film made them particularly poignant. Any word on his children?
If there were a Robert Donat cult I would join it. He is a such a joy to watch.
I agree with everything you say, Andre – Donat was a wonderful actor. I’m kicking myself for missing this tribute.
Goodbye Mr Chips and 39 Steps are his best known roles but The Winslow boy is my favourite. His opening scene is one of the best in ALL cinema
I really like him in “The Winslow Boy,” but I have a soft spot for his Count of Monte Cristo. That was the very first Robert Donat film I saw.
I’ll have to see that one – I thought it might be a bit too Hollywood Studio. Just seen The Magic Box for the first time – a real treat for film buffs as it has guest appearances from everyone from Olivier to Dennis Price. Thanks for this page, Andre
Hello, Andrew,
“The Magic Box” was shown on Turner Classic Movies here in the US just a few weeks ago. I saw it a long time ago, but now I have it on DVD. Gotta check it out again. I remember thinking that the best thing about the movie were the myriad cameos.
I’ve been a Robert Donat fan since my childhood in the fifties. Such a wonderful actor, and beautiful voice. Taken much too early, I miss him sorely.