How Green Was My Valley Overview:

How Green Was My Valley (1941) was a Drama - Family Film directed by John Ford and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Richard Llewellyn published in 1939.

SYNOPSIS

Ford's vivid recounting of a childhood spent in the lush hills of Wales. A Welsh coal-mining family experiences labor unrest and personal tragedy as their traditional way of life collides with the 20th century. Beautifully realized and deeply felt portrayal of the sustaining power of home and family. And O'Hara was never lovelier. The Oscars have solidified its place in history as one of the top tearjerkers of all time. Adapted from Richard Llewellyn's best-selling novel.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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How Green Was My Valley was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1990.

Academy Awards 1941 --- Ceremony Number 14 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorDonald CrispWon
Best Supporting ActressSara AllgoodNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Richard Day, Nathan Juran; Interior Decoration: Thomas LittleWon
Best CinematographyArthur MillerWon
Best DirectorJohn FordWon
Best Film EditingJames B. ClarkNominated
Best Picture20th Century-FoxWon
Best WritingPhilip DunneNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Walter Pidgeon and Maureen O’Hara head the cast in “How Green Was My Valley”

By Stephen Reginald on Jun 10, 2021 From Classic Movie Man

Walter Pidgeon and Maureen O’Hara head the cast in “How Green Was My Valley” How Green Was My Valley (1941) was an American drama film directed by John Ford and starring Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, Donald Crisp, Anna Lee, and Roddy McDowall. It is based on the best-s... Read full article


How Green Was My Valley

By Michael on Sep 14, 2016 From Le Mot du Cinephiliaque

Editor’s note : this review is a translation of one of the first reviews to ever appear on this blog back in 2009. Those were less than a 150 words long and were written immediately after the viewing of each film. This is as aforementioned a translation and a longer edit of this original film ... Read full article


1001 Classic Movies: How Green Was My Valley

By Amanda Garrett on Aug 15, 2016 From Old Hollywood Films

How Green Was My Valley (1941) starring Walter Pidgeon and Roddy McDowall is one of the 1001 classic movies you should see. Each Monday, I'm going to recommend a classic movie you should see (for the reasons behind the 1001 series and reviews of earlier films covered go here). August's theme coin... Read full article


How Green Was My Valley

By Amanda Garrett on Feb 27, 2016 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, I'm reviewing How Green Was My Valley, starring Walter Pidgeon (left) and Roddy McDowall. This film about life in a Welsh coal-mining village won the 1941 Academy Award for best picture. This article is part of the 31 Days of Oscar blogathon hosted by Paula's Cinema Club, Outspoken & Fr... Read full article


Friday Fail: How Green Was My Valley (1941)

By Vanessa Buttino on Jun 13, 2014 From Stardust

Friday Fail: How Green Was My Valley (1941) It took me three days to watch John Ford's epic drama HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1941). Three days! I had heard so much about this film from all of the classic movie bloggers that attended the TCM Film Fest this past April and I was really looking fo... Read full article


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Quotes from

Dai Bando: [Cyfartha is holding Mr. Jonas in boxing position] Now look, to make a good boxer, you must have a good... *right hand*, you see?
[strikes Mr. Jonas with a right jab, the force of which knocks Mr. Jonas into the wall]
Dai Bando: Now, you see, that is how you will punish your man - with a right and a left, and put your shoulder into it!
[Mr. Jonas is slumped against the wall, dazed]
Cyfartha: The gentleman is talking to you!


Dai Bando: Position again.
[Dai Bando and Cyfartha drag Mr. Jonas to his feet]
Dai Bando: Could I have your attention, boys and girls? I am not accustomed to speaking in public...
Cyfartha: Only public houses.
Dai Bando: But this -
[backhands Mr. Jonas in the nose, sending him sprawling]
Dai Bando: never use. It's against the rules. Break a man's nose. Now then -
[turns to find Mr. Jonas collapsed against the wall, unconscious]
Dai Bando: I'm afraid he will never make a boxer.
Cyfartha: No aptitude for knowledge.


Mr. Gruffydd: Huw, I thought when I was a young man that I would conquer the world with truth. I thought I would lead an army greater than Alexander ever dreamed of, not to conquer nations, but to liberate mankind. With truth. With the golden sound of the Word. But only a few of them heard. Only a few of you understood.


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Facts about

The author continued the story about Huw Morgan's life in 3 sequels. 'Up into the Singing Mountain' (1960) in which Huw emigrates to Argentina; 'Down Where the Moon is Small' (1966), Huw's life in Welsh-speaking parts of Argentina; and 'Green, Green My Valley Now' (1975), in which Huw returns to Wales. None of these have been made into films, and 'How Green Was My Valley' is still the most consistently popular novel of the series.
"How Green Was My Valley" famously beat Orson Welles 'Citizen Kane' to an Oscar.
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 22, 1942 with Sara Allgood, Donald Crisp, 'Roddy McDowall', Maureen O'Hara and Walter Pidgeon reprising their film roles performing with Rhys Williams.
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National Film Registry

How Green Was My Valley

Released 1941
Inducted 1990
(Sound)




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Also directed by John Ford




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Also produced by Darryl F. Zanuck




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