The Howards of Virginia

Infobox Film
name = The Howards of Virginia


caption = DVD cover
director = Frank Lloyd
producer = Frank Lloyd
writer = Sidney Buchman
Elizabeth Page (novel)
starring = Cary Grant
Martha Scott
music = Richard Hageman
cinematography = Bert Glennon
editing = Paul Weatherwax
distributor = Columbia Pictures
released = September 19, 1940
runtime = 122 min.
country = USA
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
amg_id = A23748
imdb_id = 0032612

"The Howards of Virginia" (1940) is a film released by Columbia Pictures and based on the book "The Tree of Liberty" written by Elizabeth Page. The Howards of Virginia live through the American Revolutionary War, with Cary Grant starring as Matt Howard, Martha Scott starring as his wife Jane Peyton Howard, and Alan Marshal and Sir Cedric Hardwicke starring as Jane's brothers Roger and Fleetwood Peyton. Fleetwood Peyton is both Jane’s eldest brother, the patriarch his family, and a member of the Tidewater aristocracy. The film includes a look at the young Matt Howard, Thomas Jefferson, and Jane Peyton.

Against the backdrop of the events leading up to the American Revolution, Matt Howard builds a fine plantation, Albemarle, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia out of love for his wife, only to see it crumble under the strain of events and differences in their upbringing.

Much of the film was shot at Colonial Williamsburg, much of which had only been recently restored or reconstructed at the time of the production. The Capitol, Raleigh Tavern and Governor's Palace are prominently featured.

Cast

* Cary Grant as Matt Howard
* Martha Scott as Jane Peyton Howard
* Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Fleetwood Peyton
* Alan Marshal as Roger Peyton
* Richard Carlson as Thomas Jefferson
* Paul Kelly as Captain Jabez Allen
* Irving Bacon as Tom Norton
* Elisabeth Risdon as Aunt Clarissa
* Anne Revere as Mrs. Betsy Norton
* Tom Drake (as Richard Alden) as James Howard at 16
* Phil Taylor as Peyton Howard at 18
* Rita Quigley as Mary Howard at Age 17
* Libby Taylor as Dicey
* Richard Gaines as Patrick Henry
* George Houston as George Washington
* Ralph Byrd as James Howard
* Dickie Jones as Matt Howard at 12
* Buster Phelps as Thomas Jefferson at 11
* Wade Boteler as Uncle Reuben
* Mary Field as Susan Howard
* R. Wells Gordon as Colonel Jefferson
* Charles Francis as Mr. Douglas
* Burton McEvilly as Alexander Hamilton
* Peter Cushing as Leslie Stephens (uncredited)

Awards

* 1940 Academy Awards: 2 Nominations: for Best Original Score (Richard Hageman) and Best Sound Recording (Jack Whitney).

References

* Hollywood Reporter: February 15, 1939
* Los Angeles Times: April 13, 1940
* Variety: September 4, 1940
* New York Times: September 27, 1940

External links

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