Eden Philpotts' "provincial" comic novel and play The Farmer's Wife was first filmed in the silent era by Alfred Hitchcock. The 1940 talkie version was directed by Leslie Arliss, son of stage star George Arliss. The story remained the same: A middle-aged widower attempts to select a wife from his rural district's eligible females (Basil Sydney). Three unsuccessful dalliances later, the farmer settles for his housekeeper, whom the audience has been rooting for all along. The Farmer's Wife is a prime example of the sort of fare that struck a proper chord with British filmgoers, but whose appeal would be lost to any other nationality.
Credits
The Farmer's Wife Cast
| Name |
Character |
|
Nora Swinburne
She was 38, 97 years old when she died
|
as Araminta Grey |
|
Basil Sydney
He was 46, 73 years old when he died
|
as Samuel Sweetland |
|
Michael Wilding
He was 28, 66 years old when he died
|
as Richard Coaker |
|
Wilfrid Lawson
He was 41, 66 years old when he died
|
as Churdles Ash |
|
Enid Stamp-Taylor
She was 36, 41 years old when she died
|
as Mary Hearne |
|
Patricia Roc
She was 25, 88 years old when she died
|
as Sibley |
|
Betty Warren
She was 33, 83 years old when she died
|
as Louisa Windeatt |
The Farmer's Wife Crew
| Name |
Department |
|
Leslie Arliss as Director. She was 39 (86) years old when She died
|
Directing |
|
Leslie Arliss as Writer. She was 39 (86) years old when She died
|
Writing |
|
Norman Lee as Director. He was 42 (65) years old when He died
|
Directing |
|
Norman Lee as Writer. He was 42 (65) years old when He died
|
Writing |
