A Yank at Eton
Encyclopedia
A Yank at Eton is an American comedy/drama film. It was the 1942 sequel to the 1938 A Yank at Oxford
. All of it was filmed in the United States and none of it at Eton. It tells the tale of a rich, wild, cocky youth (Rooney) from an elite American school who has to move to England, where he attends the elite Eton College
.
Much of the storyline relates to the misunderstandings arising from differences between the two countries' cultures, customs and language. At first these cause the boy anger and confusion and the film caricatures English manners and behavior as snobbish and stuffy. But in due course he settles down, stops being rebellious and comes to realize that, beneath the different habits and views, "Yanks" and "Limeys" have basic values in common and can get along when they have to.
The propaganda intent, as U.S. troops poured into the U.K. to join World War II
in 1942, was evidently to show that Americans and Britons could set aside their superficial differences and pull together in the common cause of the war effort.
The film has the Eton boating song
as its theme tune (played at a faster tempo than usual), though no boating is shown in the film.
A Yank at Oxford
A Yank at Oxford is a 1938 British film, directed by Jack Conway from a screenplay by John Monk Saunders and Leon Gordon. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios...
. All of it was filmed in the United States and none of it at Eton. It tells the tale of a rich, wild, cocky youth (Rooney) from an elite American school who has to move to England, where he attends the elite Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
.
Much of the storyline relates to the misunderstandings arising from differences between the two countries' cultures, customs and language. At first these cause the boy anger and confusion and the film caricatures English manners and behavior as snobbish and stuffy. But in due course he settles down, stops being rebellious and comes to realize that, beneath the different habits and views, "Yanks" and "Limeys" have basic values in common and can get along when they have to.
The propaganda intent, as U.S. troops poured into the U.K. to join World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1942, was evidently to show that Americans and Britons could set aside their superficial differences and pull together in the common cause of the war effort.
The film has the Eton boating song
Eton Boating Song
The Eton Boating Song is the best known of the school songs associated with Eton College that are sung at the end of year concert and on other important occasions. It is also played during the procession of boats. The words of the song were written by William Johnson Cory, an influential Master at...
as its theme tune (played at a faster tempo than usual), though no boating is shown in the film.
Cast
- Mickey RooneyMickey RooneyMickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
as Timothy Dennis - Edmund GwennEdmund GwennEdmund Gwenn was an English theatre and film actor.-Background:Born Edmund John Kellaway in Wandsworth, London , and educated at St. Olave's School and later at King's College London, Gwenn began his acting career in the theatre in 1895...
as Headmaster Justin - Ian HunterIan Hunter (actor)Ian Hunter was a British character actor.Among dozens of film roles, his best-remembered appearances include That Certain Woman with Bette Davis, The Adventures of Robin Hood , The Little Princess and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...
as Roger Carlton - Freddie BartholomewFreddie BartholomewFrederick Cecil Bartholomew , known for his acting work as Freddie Bartholomew, was an English-American child actor. One of the most famous child actors of all time, he became very popular in 1930s Hollywood films...
as Peter Carlton - Marta Linden as Winifred Dennis Carlton
- Juanita QuigleyJuanita QuigleyJuanita Quigley is a former child actress in American motion pictures of the 1930s and 1940s.-Career:Juanita Quigley was billed as Baby Jane in several early roles. She first attracted major attention as Claudette Colbert's three-year-old daughter in Imitation of Life...
as Jane "The Runt" Dennis - Alan MowbrayAlan MowbrayAlan Mowbray MM, , was an English stage and film actor who found success in Hollywood.Born Alfred Ernest Allen in London, England, he served with distinction the British Army in World War I, being awarded the Military Medal for bravery...
as Mr. Duncan - Peter LawfordPeter LawfordPeter Sydney Ernest Aylen , better known as Peter Lawford, was an English-American actor.He was a member of the "Rat Pack", and brother-in-law to US President John F. Kennedy, perhaps more noted in later years for his off-screen activities as a celebrity than for his acting...
as Ronnie Kenvil - Raymond Severn as Isaac "Inky" Weeld