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Goodbye, Mr. Chips
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Robert Donat and Louise Hampton in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939). Robert Donat and Greer Garson in an intimate scene by a fireplace, with Garson seated on the floor and Donat reclining in a chair, in Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939).
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Robert Donat and Louise Hampton in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939).
Robert Donat and Louise Hampton in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939).

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

film by Wood [1939]
Written by
Lee Pfeiffer
Author/co-author of numerous books about the cinema and is regarded as one of the foremost James Bond scholars. His book The Essential Bond: An Authorized Guide to the World of 007 (written with...
Lee Pfeiffer
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History

Goodbye, Mr. Chips, British film drama, released in 1939, that was based on James Hiltonā€™s highly successful novel of the same name.

Robert Donat and Greer Garson in an intimate scene by a fireplace, with Garson seated on the floor and Donat reclining in a chair, in Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939).
Goodbye, Mr. ChipsRobert Donat and Greer Garson in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939), directed by Sam Wood.

Goodbye, Mr. Chips is a touching, sentimental tale of a beloved British schoolmaster (played by Robert Donat). The film traces his life and career from his days as a nervous young teacher to his status as the schoolā€™s elder statesman. Despite the many challenges he faces throughout his long tenure, his devotion to the students remains steadfast.

Donatā€™s performance earned him the Academy Award for best actor over the presumed favouriteā€”Clark Gable for his role in Gone with the Wind. Greer Garson also earned accolades for her portrayal of the schoolmasterā€™s wife. The film was remade in 1969 as a big-budget musical starring Peter Oā€™Toole, who received an Oscar nomination for his work.

Empty movie theater and blank screen (theatre, motion pictures, cinema).
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Production notes and credits

  • Studio: MGM
  • Director: Sam Wood
  • Producer: Victor Saville
  • Writers: R.C Sherriff, Claudine West, and Eric Maschwitz
  • Music: Richard Addinsell
  • Running time: 114 minutes

Cast

  • Robert Donat (Mr. Chipping)
  • Greer Garson (Katharine Chipping)
  • Terry Kilburn (John Colley/Peter Colley)
  • John Mills (Young Peter Colley)

Academy Award nominations (* denotes win)

  • Picture
  • Editing
  • Director
  • Screenplay
  • Sound
  • Lead actor* (Robert Donat)
  • Lead actress (Greer Garson)
Lee Pfeiffer