Kattiera Nana
I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
VeteranLight
I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
RipDelight
This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
Portia Hilton
Blistering performances.
rdoyle29
Small town American star athlete Robert Taylor gets the opportunity to attend Oxford and discovers that his brash American ways do not go over too well with the British. He romances fellow student Maureen O'Sullivan while earning the hostility of her brother until he makes things right with a personal sacrifice. A decent dramatic comedy about cultures clashing whose incredible cast also features Lionel Barrymore, Vivien Leigh and Edmund Gwenn. Remade as "Oxford Blues" in the 80's.
drednm
A YANK AT OXFORD is notable for several reasons. This was MGM's first British production with Mayer in charge (co-produced by Michael Balcon who quit after a fight with Mayer). Despite Mayer's reservations, Balcon hired Vivien Leigh for one of the leads, and this was a key film in getting her noticed by Selznick for the Scarlett casting battle. Star Robert Taylor thought highly of Leigh, and they were reteamed several years later. A-level film boasted a big cast and used quite a few British actors. Besides Taylor (who did his own stunts) and Leigh, film also boasted Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O'Sullivan, Edmund Gwenn, and Griffith Jones (fairly big star in UK). Also C.V. France, Robert Coote, Claude Gillingwater, Tully Marshall, Edward Rigby, and Richard Todd as an extra. Stock footage of Oxford but film was mostly shot as Denham Studios. No idea where the boating scenes were filmed. I didn't recognize anything.What struck me about the film was that MGM had dusted off the old William Haines formula of braggart goes off to (fill in the blank) where he acts like an a-hole until he gets his comeuppance and rallies the team for a big win and becomes a true hero, In this case, film follows the general plot of Haines' BROWN OF HARVARD minus the homoerotic subtext (sort of) right down to the crewing scenes.Breezy performance by Robert Taylor in one of his best films.
atlasmb
Robert Taylor plays the main character, Lee Sheridan, in this tale of an American who attends Oxford University. Lee is a talented athlete and he lacks no confidence, thanks, in part, to his father (Lionel Barrymore), who owns the town newspaper and trumpets Lee's exploits on the gridiron and the cinder track.When Lee travels to Oxford, he makes an impression before he even arrives at the school, thanks to his colossal arrogance. The Brits like their heroes humble and they let him know it. But eventually he settles in and comes to cherish the school and its traditions. It doesn't hurt that he meets the beautiful Molly Beaumont (Maureen O'Sullivan). The wonderful cast also includes Vivien Leigh and Edmund Gwenn.This fish out of water story is charming, if conventional. Taylor is fairly convincing as an athlete. With a broad, All-American smile, he has a presence that might remind one of Hubble (Robert Redforfd) in "The Way We Were", but without his self-deprecation.
Ron Oliver
A skilled, albeit highly egocentric young athlete becomes A YANK AT OXFORD when he accepts a scholarship to the English university. Romance and various personal problems help punch a hole through his self-conceit.Robert Taylor gets to show-off his athletic prowess (running, rowing) in this pleasant, lightweight film. Produced by MGM's British division, it is an enjoyable look at a privileged world about to be changed forever by World War Two.Taylor does a fine job in the title role, but he is also aided immensely by excellent co-stars from both sides of the Atlantic: Lionel Barrymore, giving another acting lesson as Taylor's peppery, loyal father; lovable Edmund Gwenn, as the long-suffering Dean of (fictional) Cardinal College, Oxford; beautiful Maureen O'Sullivan, as Taylor's English girlfriend; and enchanting Vivien Leigh, one year before her tremendous success in GONE WITH THE WIND, as a philandering young wife with an eye for male students.Equally impressive is a gaggle of less well known British actors: stalwart Griffith Jones, as Taylor's main college rival; Robert Coote, as a cheery student forever looking for new ways to get sent down; Walter Kingsford, as a benevolent dean; ancient C. V. France as a delightfully forgetful academician; and cuddly Edward Rigby as Taylor's elderly attendant.Claude Gillingwater appears as Barrymore's caustic banker. Movie mavens will recognize Ethel Griffies as an Oxford proctor.