Mrs Miniver (MGM 1942, Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon)

Greer Garson in her Oscar-winning portrayal personified the British resolve against Nazi aggression. An immensely popular piece of wartime propaganda, Wyler’s film follows Mrs. Miniver, her husband (Walter Pidgeon), their children, and their small English town as the war comes closer to their lives. The family endures the departure of the father for the beaches at Dunkirk, the discovery of a wounded Nazi pilot, the death of the daughter-in-law in an air raid, and the entry of the son into the Royal Air Force.

The scenes culminate in a morale-boosting final speech that President Franklin Roosevelt ordered printed and air-dropped over war-torn Europe. The romance of her eldest son coincides with the first bombs and the destruction of the village church, yet through all the strife upper lips remain stiff and even the smallest traditions are maintained. Adapted from the novel by Jan Struther.

In 1943, Greer Garson married Richard Ney, eleven years her junior, who plays her son Vin in the movie; the marriage lasted until 1947.

Academy Award Nominations: 12, including Best Actor: Walter Pidgeon.

production details
Country:USA | MGM | 134 minutes
Release Year: 1942

Director: William Wyler
Producer: Sidney Franklin
Original Story: Jan Struther
Cinematography: Joseph Ruttenberg
Editor: Harold F. Kress
Music: Herbert Stothart
Script: George Froeschel, James Hilton, Claudine West, Arthur Wimperis
Production Design: Cedric Gibbons, Urie McCleary
Costume Designer: Robert Calloch

cast
Greer Garson as Mrs. Miniver
Walter Pidgeon as Clem Miniver
Dame May Whitty as Lady Beldon
Reginald Owen as Foley
Gibson Gowland as Man on Boat
John Abbott as Fred
Connie Leon as Simpson
Henry Wilcoxon as Vicar
Henry Travers as Mr. Ballard
Peter Lawford as Pilot
Teresa Wright as Carol Beldon
Helmut Dantine as German Flyer
Tom Conway as Man
Richard Ney as Vin Miniver
Christopher Severn as Toby Miniver
Brenda Forbes as Gladys – Housemaid
Clare Sandars as Judy Miniver
Marie De Becker as Ada
Colin Kenny as Policeman (uncredited)
John Burton as Halliday (uncredited)