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This Happy Breed (Original title)Noel Coward's This Happy Breed (Alternative title)
Date: 07 August 1944 (Release)

Country: United Kingdom

Directed by: David Lean

Synopsis: Period drama. The life of a London family in the years between the two World Wars, from the day they move into a house to the day they leave it. The following statement regarding the story appears after the opening credits: 'This is the story of a London family from 1919 to 1939'

Genre:
Romance

Subjects:
Londoners, Family life
Releases
Date: 07 August 1944Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - SoundRuntime: 111 mins Length: 9939 FeetDialogue (original): English
Date: June 1996Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: VHS Videocassette - Colour - SoundRuntime: 105 mins 54 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Video Collection International
Date: October 2015Country: United KingdomRelease type: InternetFormat: not specified - Colour - SoundRuntime: 115 mins Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: BFIPlayer

Credits (58)
A Two Cities Film: Two Cities Films, Production Company: Cineguild, Produced by: Noel Coward, [Associate Producer]: David Lean, Ronald Neame, Production Manager: Ken Horne, Production Manager: Jack Martin, [Assistant Production Manager]: Robert Foord, In Charge of Production: Anthony Havelock-Allan, Assistant Director: George Pollock, [Assistant Director (2nd)]: Reginald Marks, [Assistant Director (3rd)]: Anthony Hearne, [Continuity]: Maggie Unsworth, [Assistant Continuity]: Patricia Arnold, Adapted for the screen by: David Lean, Adapted for the screen by: Ronald Neame, Anthony Havelock-Allan, Above the Title Credit [for Play]: Noel Coward, Photographed in Technicolor by: Ronald Neame, Technicolor Company Colour Director: Natalie Kalmus, Technicolor Company Associate: Joan Bridge, Technicolor Company Technician: Harold Haysom, Camera Operator: Guy Green, [Focus Puller]: George Minassian, [Clapper Loader]: David Lytton, [Stills]: Eugene H.E. Pizey, [Back Projection]: Charles Staffell, Special Effects: Percy Day, [Models]: George Blackwell, Film Editor: Jack Harris, [Assistant Editor]: Norah Walsh, [Assembly Cutter]: Marjorie Saunders, Art Director: C.P. Norman, [Assistant Art Director]: Arthur Lawson, Art Supervisor to Noel Coward: G.E. Calthrop, [Draughtsman]: Harry Hurdell, Dress Supervisor: Hilda Collins, Make-up: Tony Sforzini, Hair Dressing: Vivienne Walker, Music Played by: The London Symphony Orchestra, [LSO] Under the Direction of: Muir Mathieson, Sound Recordist: C.C. Stevens, Sound Recordist: John Cooke, Desmond Dew, [Sound Camera Operator]: Winston Ryder, Roy Day, [Sound Assistant]: Wally Day, Logo [Sound System]: Western Electric, [Boom Operator]: Gordon K. McCallum, Percy Dayton, [Boom Assistant]: George Paternoster, Gus Lloyd, [Dubbing Crew]: Cyril Crowhurst, [Dubbing Crew]: Alan Whatley, Anthony J. Kay, [Studio]: Denham Studios, Made at: D&P Studios
Cast (13)
Laurence Olivier ([Narrator]), Robert Newton (Frank Gibbons), Celia Johnson (Ethel Gibbons), John Mills (Billy Mitchell), Kay Walsh (Queenie Gibbons), Stanley Holloway (Bob Mitchell), Amy Veness (Mrs Flint), Alison Leggatt (Aunt Sylvia), Eileen Erskine (Vi), John Blythe (Reg Gibbons), Guy Verney (Sam Leadbitter), Merle Tottenham (Edie), Betty Fleetwood (Phyllis Blake)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (10)
In: Sight and Sound v18 n7 July 2008  Pages: 38-43
Title: David LeanAuthor: DRAZIN, Charles Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Explores the mastery of David Lean's editing in the films The GHOST CAMERA, BRIEF ENCOUNTER and A PASSAGE TO INDIA, plus an account of how the BFI National Archive restored THIS HAPPY BREED for the David Lean centenary.

In: Empire n231 September 2008  Pages: 156-157
Title: At home/DVD reissues: The David Lean Centenary CollectionAuthor: Nathan, IanArticle type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
Description: DVD box set review.

In: Films v5 n2 February 1985  Pages: 46-47
Title: [Films - v5 n2 February 1985: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of video release.

In: La Revue du Cinéma v2 n12 April 1948  Page: 62
Title: [La Revue du Cinéma - v2 n12 April 1948: no known title]Language: French

In: Motion Picture Herald v167 n3 19 Apr 1947
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v167 n3 19 Apr 1947: no known title]Language: English

In: Monthly Film Bulletin v11 n125 May 1944  Page: 54
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v11 n125 May 1944: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Today's Cinema v62 n5025 28 Apr 1944
Title: [Today's Cinema - v62 n5025 28 Apr 1944: no known title]Language: English

In: Kinematograph Weekly n1933 4 May 1944
Title: [Kinematograph Weekly - n1933 4 May 1944: no known title]Language: English

In: The Picturegoer v13 n612 5 Aug 1944  Page: 14
Title: [The Picturegoer - v13 n612 5 Aug 1944: no known title]Language: English
Description: Synopsis.

In: Motion Picture Herald v155 n9 27 May 1944
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v155 n9 27 May 1944: no known title]Language: English


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (1)
Title: Picturing home: domestic life and modernity in 1940s British film
Author: Price, Hollie  Pages: xiv, 242 pages


Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(53)
Accessible materials to view(13)
Description: VHS cassetteDuration: 01:45:54 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1424602
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 9950 FeetStock date: 2008BFI identifier: C-1479882
Status: Viewing - Access to film print is subject to clearance


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 9951 FeetBFI identifier: C-664228
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 9952 FeetBFI identifier: C-672738
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)


Description: D3Duration: 106.48 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1047924
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access


Description: VHS cassetteDuration: 106.48 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1047925
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access


Description: Digital BetacamDuration: 106.5 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1422055
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access


Description: Base: SafetyLength: 9930 FeetBFI identifier: C-1439260
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 9950 FeetBFI identifier: C-1465873
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 1648 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1471229
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 9950 FeetStock date: 2008BFI identifier: C-1465874
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)


Description: MP4MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-52771
Status: Viewing - Digital file is accessible to view within BFI


Description: MP4BFI identifier: N-640382
Status: Viewing - Digital file is accessible to view within BFI



Digital materials(2)
Description: MP4MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-52771
Status: Viewing - Digital file is accessible to view within BFI


Description: MP4BFI identifier: N-640382
Status: Viewing - Digital file is accessible to view within BFI



Video materials(7)
Description: VHS cassetteDuration: 01:45:54 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1424602
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access


Description: D3Duration: 106.48 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1047924
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access


Description: VHS cassetteDuration: 106.48 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1047925
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access


Description: Digital BetacamDuration: 106.5 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1422055
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access


Description: Digital Audio TapeLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1465871
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape


Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-231517
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape


Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-376925
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape



Film materials(44)
Description: Base: SafetyLength: 9930 FeetBFI identifier: C-1439260
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)


Description: 16mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 3976 FeetStock date: 1964BFI identifier: C-754454
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Colour InternegativeBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 9935 FeetStock date: 1991BFI identifier: C-655504
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication


Description: 35mm Colour InternegativeBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 9950 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1465789
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour InternegativeBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 4018 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1471202
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 91 FeetBFI identifier: C-1563632
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 758 FeetStock date: 1947BFI identifier: C-170054
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 9773 FeetStock date: 1947BFI identifier: C-170070
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 235 FeetBFI identifier: C-1457969
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 9950 FeetStock date: 2008BFI identifier: C-1479882
Status: Viewing - Access to film print is subject to clearance


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 9951 FeetBFI identifier: C-664228
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 9952 FeetBFI identifier: C-672738
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 9950 FeetBFI identifier: C-1465873
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 1648 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1471229
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 9950 FeetStock date: 2008BFI identifier: C-1465874
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9935 FeetStock date: 1971BFI identifier: C-170062
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 9908 FeetStock date: 1943BFI identifier: C-170068
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 9940 FeetBFI identifier: C-655501
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 124 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1472831
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 1438 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1466091
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 9940 FeetStock date: 2005BFI identifier: C-1465787
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Cyan Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 2514 FeetStock date: 1971BFI identifier: C-170058
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status


Description: 35mm Dupe Successive frame Colour NegativeBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 536 FeetBFI identifier: C-679670
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9935 FeetStock date: 1971BFI identifier: C-170060
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 9908 FeetStock date: 1943BFI identifier: C-170069
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 9938 FeetBFI identifier: C-655502
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 124 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1472832
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 1438 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1466092
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 9940 FeetStock date: 2005BFI identifier: C-1465788
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Magenta Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 2514 FeetStock date: 1971BFI identifier: C-170057
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status


Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: CTASound: SoundLength: 9930 FeetBFI identifier: C-655506
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Original Cyan Separation NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 9935 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-170064
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Original Magenta Separation NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 9935 FeetStock date: 1942BFI identifier: C-170055
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Original Yellow Separation NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 9935 FeetBFI identifier: C-170065
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: PolyesterSound: SoundLength: 9935 FeetStock date: 1991BFI identifier: C-655507
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication


Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: PolyesterSound: SoundLength: 9950 FeetStock date: 2005BFI identifier: C-1465872
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication (servicing required)


Description: 35mm Successive frame Colour PromasterBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 536 FeetStock date: 1991BFI identifier: C-679671
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9935 FeetStock date: 1971BFI identifier: C-170061
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 818 FeetStock date: 1943BFI identifier: C-170067
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 9938 FeetBFI identifier: C-655500
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 1438 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1466090
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 124 FeetStock date: 2007BFI identifier: C-1472830
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: PolyesterSound: MuteLength: 9940 FeetStock date: 2005BFI identifier: C-1465786
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Yellow Separation PromasterBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 2514 FeetStock date: 1971BFI identifier: C-170059
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status