South Riding (film)

South Riding is a 1938 British drama film directed by Victor Saville and produced by Alexander Korda, starring Edna Best, Ralph Richardson, Edmund Gwenn and Ann Todd. It was the film debut of a 14-year-old Glynis Johns. It is based on the 1936 novel South Riding by Winifred Holtby. The BBC produced a TV adaptation in 2011.

Plot
A squire becomes involved in local politics.

Cast

 * Edna Best as Sarah Burton
 * Ralph Richardson as Robert Carne
 * Edmund Gwenn as Alfred Huggins
 * Ann Todd as Madge Carne
 * Marie Lohr as Mrs. Beddows
 * Milton Rosmer as Alderman Snaith
 * John Clements as Joe Astell
 * Edward Lexy as Mr. Holly
 * Joan Ellum as Lydia Holly
 * Glynis Johns as Midge Carne (her first film appearance and was the last surviving cast member)
 * Josephine Wilson as Mrs. Holly
 * Gus McNaughton as Tadman
 * Herbert Lomas as Castle
 * Peggy Novak as Bessie Warbuckle
 * Lewis Casson as Lord Sedgmire
 * Felix Aylmer as Chairman of Council
 * Jean Cadell as Miss Dry
 * Skelton Knaggs as Reginald Aythorne

Production
Hugh Stewart who edited it called it "one of the very best scripts ever written".

Critical reception
TV Guide wrote, "Not an altogether satisfying love story, it is more interesting as a portrait of pre-WW II life in the country. Excellent sets by Meerson and well shot by Stradling"; while Time Out wrote, "Saville carries Winifred Holtby's tart, witty exposé of Yorkshire power politics to the screen with breathtaking, and totally unexpected, panache." Leonard Maltin called it "Smoothly made and superbly acted by a flawless cast."