Doctor Syn

Doctor Syn (1937)

A highly respected clergyman is actually a former pirate who exacts vigilante justice in this British production.

Date of release
1937-08-25
TMDB
6.8 / 10 (6)
Runtime
1h 18m
Genres
Drama, Adventure
Director
Roy William Neill

Casting

Interesting facts

Doctor Syn is a 1937 British black-and-white historical dramatic adventure film, directed by Roy William Neill for Gainsborough Pictures. It stars George Arliss, Margaret Lockwood, Graham Moffatt, and Ronald Shiner. The film is based on the Doctor Syn novels of Russell Thorndike, set in 18th-century Kent. The character of Syn and the events at the film's climax were both softened considerably in comparison to Thorndike's original storyline.

Production

This was the last film of George Arliss' contract with Gaumont British. According to Arliss: "He is a quite good parson and there is virtue even in his smuggling. I think we can make him quite an amusing character, and the subject is picturesque and dramatic". Although well into his sixties, Arliss was very energetic in the title role.

The film was announced in April, taking place at Gaumont British's studio at Islington. There was some location work in Dymchurch and the marshes around Rye and Winchelsea.

Anna Lee was to play the female lead. She was replaced by Margaret Lockwood who impressed with her performance so much she was offered a three-year contract by Gainsborough Pictures. This was a key turning point in Lockwood's career.

Read on Wikipedia · Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Data from Wikidata.

Recommended