Cavalcade is a 1933 American epic pre-Code drama film directed by Frank Lloyd. The screenplay by Reginald Berkeley and Sonya Levien is based on the 1931 play of the same title by Noël Coward. The film portrays the triumphs and tragedies of two English families, the upper-crust Marryots and the working-class Bridgeses, from 1899 to 1933.
The film stars Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook and tells the "Upstairs/Downstairs"-style story of the two British families across the years. It was released on DVD in 2010 and on Blu-ray/DVD set in 2013 The Academy Film Archive preserved Cavalcade in 2002.
Plot
The plot of Cavalcade revolves around the lives of two British families, the Marryots and the Bridgeses, from December 31, 1899, to December 31, 1932. The film portrays the triumphs and tragedies of these families, offering a view of English life during the first third of the 20th century.
It tells an entertaining tale as it traces thirty eventful years in the lives of members of an upper-class London family, reflecting the inexorable passage of time and the impact of new ideas and technology on the mores and certainties of the Victorian era as the British Empire comes to an end.
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Cast
- Diana Wynyard as Jane Marryot
- Clive Brook as Robert Marryot
- Una O'Connor as Ellen Bridges
- Herbert Mundin as Alfred Bridges
- Beryl Mercer as Cook
- Irene Browne as Margaret Harris
- Tempe Pigott as Lady Trenchard
- Merle Tottenham as Edith Harris
Director: Frank Lloyd
Producer: Frank Lloyd, Winfield R. Sheehan
Writer: Reginald Berkeley, Sonya Levien
Distributor: Fox
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 15, 1933
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 22, 2013
Box Office Gross: The 1933 film Cavalcade was an instant commercial success, earning $1,004,000 in North American rentals and $3.5 million in worldwide rentals. It made over US$1 million in the UK and ended up making an estimated profit of £2,500,000 during its initial theatrical release.
Themes & Reception
The 1933 film Cavalcade explores various themes, including the passage of time, societal change, and the impact of historical events on individual lives. The movie portrays the triumphs and tragedies of two English families, the upper-crust Marryots and the working-class Bridgeses, from 1899 to 1933.
The play, on which the film is based, has been described as a patriotic pageant about the first 30 years of the century, yet it also conveys anti-militaristic sentiments and portrays the disillusionment and anger among the working class.
It's reception has been generally positive, with its portrayal of historical events and societal changes being praised. It has been noted for its depiction of the high hopes at the start of the century turning into senseless slaughter and hectic hedonism.
Setting
The 1933 film Cavalcade is set in England and portrays the triumphs and tragedies of two families, the upper-crust Marryots and the working-class Bridgeses, from 1899 to 1933. The film is based on a play by Noël Coward, which was set in London and involved a huge cast and massive sets
Trivia
- The film is based on a play of the same name by Noël Coward, which was a huge success in London's West End.
- The film was directed by Frank Lloyd, who won an Academy Award for Best Director for his work on the film.
- The film was a commercial success, earning over $4.5 million in worldwide rentals.
- Sixteen-year-old Betty Grable, who would later become a famous Hollywood star, appeared in the film as the "Blonde Girl on the Couch" in the 1930s wild party sequence.
- The film was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2002.