The Cajun Cheesehead Critic picnics with 1940’s Pride and Prejudice

A Picnic Instead of a Ball – 1940’s Pride and Prejudice (with a giveaway),
by Jack Caldwell

Greetings, everyone. Jack Caldwell here.

Well, we’ve run through three Pride and Prejudice adaptations—1980, 1995, and 2005. So, it’s time to tackle that strange beast known as P&P0: Robert Z. Leonard’s 1940 film Pride and Prejudice.

The screenplay by Aldous Huxley (of Brave New World fame) and Jane Murfin was adapted from the successful 1932 stage adaptation by Helen Jerome. Many of you who has seen this B&W film are shocked at the changes made with Jane Austen’s immortal novel:

  • Collins is a librarian.
  • Charlotte Lucas is hot.
  • There are no Hursts.
  • The Gardiners are off-screen.
  • The ball at Netherfield is now a picnic.
  • There is no trip to Pemberley; therefore, we don’t meet Georgiana.
  • There is no trip to Brighton.
  • There is no letter.
  • Lady Catherine is secretly pulling for Elizabeth.
  • And most of all: the costumes are right out of Gone With the Wind!

All true. But be honest—does any of that hurt the story? In my humble opinion, the answer is no.

First, let’s talk about the strengths of this adaptation. For one, it stars Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Fitzwilliam Darcy.

 LAURENCE FRIGGIN’ OLIVIER!

Olivier is one of the greatest actors who ever lived. I don’t know about you, but I can listen to him read from the phone book and be absolutely entertained. Sorry Colin, David, and Matthew, but Olivier is the best Darcy ever.

And the gorgeous Garson, while a little old for the part, absolutely nails Elizabeth’s wit and repartee.

Most of the other actresses are easy on the eye, too: Maureen O’Sullivan as Jane Bennet, Ann Rutherford as Lydia Bennet, Karen Morley as Charlotte Lucas, and Frieda Inescort as Caroline Bingley. Who cares about the costumes with all these babes around?

The other strength of the film is that it is funny—something often left out of Austen adaptations. True, they turned the Netherfield ball into a picnic, but it is hilarious, particularly the archery scene. Mary Boland was silly and loving as Mrs. Bennet. Was there ever a funnier Lady Catherine de Bourgh than Edna May Oliver? The woman is an institution! 

Mr. Collins is not as Miss Austen described him, and his occupation was changed as to not offend the audience (who were far more religious than we are today), but Melville Cooper was wonderful. Edward Ashley (billed as Edward Ashley Cooper) as George Wickham was reliably slimy, and the great Edmund Gwenn added real emotion to Mr. Bennet.

About the costumes. Recall this movie was released in 1940. There was that little old thing called World War II going on. It was far more economical to use the left-over costumes from Gone With the Wind and change the time period to the Victorian Era.

As for what was left out, this is a film that ran just under two hours. Something had to go. They tried hard to keep the skeleton of the plot and add their own memorable lines, such as “That chapter is definitely closed.” There are also some lovely moments. My favorite are:

  • Collins chasing Elizabeth during the picnic.
  • The squawking of the pet bird sounding just like the Bennet ladies.
  • Lydia presenting Wickham to her father upon returning home.
  • Darcy and Elizabeth discussing Lady Catherine.
  • And any movie that has Greer Garson in her underthings is a must-watch in my book!
    (But then I’m a guy, so …)

Sure, I would have enjoyed watching Olivier show Garson around Pemberley, but you can’t have everything.

Is P&P0 the best Pride and Prejudice adaptation? No. But then, neither are Bride & Prejudice or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. They all have their charms. This funny and fun B&W film is well worth a Saturday afternoon. Give it a shot and if you’re not smiling at the end, you have no funny bone.

Now for the ad:

(You don’t think I do this for free, do you?)

BUT I DO HAVE SOMETHING FREE FOR YOU!
I will give away one audiobook version of BOURBON STREET NIGHTS!
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment!
(The audiobook is available through Amazon US or Amazon UK)

Until next time, this has been the Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles.

It takes a real man to write historical romance, so let me tell you a story…

Jack Caldwell

Jack Caldwell is an author, amateur historian, professional economic developer, playwright, and like many Cajuns, a darn good cook. His nickname -- The Cajun Cheesehead -- came from his devotion to his two favorite NFL teams: the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. (Every now and then, Jack has to play the DVD again to make sure the Saints really won in 2010.)

Always a history buff, Jack found and fell in love with Jane Austen in his twenties, struck by her innate understanding of the human condition. Jack uses his work to share his knowledge of history. Through his characters, he hopes the reader gains a better understanding of what went on before, developing an appreciation for our ancestors' trials and tribulations.

When not writing or traveling with his wife, Barbara, Jack attempts to play golf. A devout convert to Roman Catholicism, Jack is married with three grown sons.

47 comments

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    • Cheryl Kepler on June 28, 2019 at 12:22 am
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    I agree with your review 100% and love all your stories. Thank you for being so creative (and so entertaining)!

    1. Thanks, Cheryl!

  2. I’m with you, Jack. I enjoyed this version very much. And I loved Greer Garson. Though she lived in my hometown, I never got to see her in person, but I loved her movies especially ‘Random Harvest’ …along with ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ Is Olivier the best Darcy? I put him on par with Matthew. Unfortunately, Colin comes off wooden to me, but I do enjoy Olivier as well as Matthew. Loved Edna May Oliver as well. And Edmund Gwenn and Mary Boland worked as the Bennets also. It’s not perfect, but it is a fun adaptation, and I’ll watch it again. The only one I refuse to watch is Zombies. I think Jane Austen would croak. Look forward to your next post.

    1. Thank you, Gianna.

      • Megan on June 28, 2019 at 5:58 pm
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      Zombies is actually better than people give it credit for IMHO. And it works surprisingly well – it’s not like it was forced into the plot (the difference in rank/class are turned into debates on schools/styles of fighting) and the fights between Darcy and Lizzy and Lizzy and Lady C are worth at least one viewing. While I don’t like the casting choice for Darcy (sorry Sam – you just don’t LOOK like Darcy for me) it is well acted. And if you like Doctor Who you should definitely see Matt Smith’s hilarious performance as Mr. Collins

      1. It may be awhile before I get to P&P&Z. Thanks!

        • Susan on July 1, 2019 at 9:27 am
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        I think Elizabeth Bennet and Lady Catherine’s confrontation alone makes Zombies worth a viewing. Probably my all time favorite casting for either lady. But I agree on Darcy. Not only was he not handsome enough for Darcy, his voice grated.

        1. My take on P&P&Z will be down the road.

    • Terri Conley on June 28, 2019 at 4:33 am
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    I agree fabulous movie despite costumes. Actors all great in their roles.
    This was my introduction P&P inspired me to read the book. Back in the 80s. Been captured ever since and happily so.

    1. It’s an addiction for which there is no cure. But then, who would want one? Thanks!

    • Davida on June 28, 2019 at 6:08 am
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    Also one of my favorites because it is just so funny
    I love the carriage race between Mrs Bennet and Mrs Lucas.

    Thanks for the review!

    1. Ah yes, the carriage race. I admit I stole that for THE COMPANION OF HIS FUTURE LIFE, but made it between Mr. Bennet and Lydia & Wickham.

      I’m glad you enjoyed it.

    • Glynis on June 28, 2019 at 6:09 am
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    I have seen this version but once was enough for me. The story was too different, if they hadn’t used the names I would hardly have recognised it.
    I did prefer it to the 1980 version as at least I liked Olivier as Darcy but I will definitely stick to my preferred 1995 & 2005 versions.
    I do enjoy these posts though and accept that many others will disagree with me but hey, that’s life!
    Thank you Jack (please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I don’t have audiobooks)

    1. Some people like chocolate, others like strawberry. There is nothing wrong with that. (Of course, I’m a vanilla/salted caramel kind of guy, so …)

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

    • Joan Brand on June 28, 2019 at 6:47 am
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    Jack, I enjoyed your review of the 1940s version of P&P. I own a copy and have watched it several times. As you stated , the acting is superb!

    1. Three words: LAURENCE FRIGGIN’ OLIVIER!

      BTW, Edmund Gwenn was a superb character actor. Some of his best work was with Alfred Hitchcock in “Foreign Correspondent” and “The Trouble with Harry.”

      Thanks for jumping in.

    • Laura H on June 28, 2019 at 7:26 am
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    Thanks for remembering the 1940s version of P&P. It is a lot of fun to watch and I loved it! I would also love to win your audio book. Thanks for the opportunity.

    1. Thank you, Laura.

    • NANCY L DUELL on June 28, 2019 at 7:47 am
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    Jack our annual Jane Austen retreat in Lake George NY played the 1949’s film which was well received. We had fun and some swooning.🥰

    1. Once again: LAURENCE FRIGGIN’ OLIVIER!

      Thanks!

    • J. W. Garrett on June 28, 2019 at 8:22 am
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    Don’t include me in the giveaway… I don’t do audio. I think I am too ADHD to do two things at once. I had to stop chewing my gum to type this.

    I love this version of P&P for all the reasons you mentioned. That archery scene was hilarious. It was better than the one in Emma when Mr. Knightley admonished her to not kill his dogs. Edna May Oliver was an amazing Lady Catherine. I loved how she kept poking her coachman with her parasol. Anne de Bourgh was a little snit. That was well done. I loved the way the ladies walked. None of that heavy heeled walking like we do… they floated. The competition between Lady Lucas and Mrs. Bennet was a scream. Those poor horses. I did notice, in the introductions of his daughters to Mr. Collins he didn’t go by birth order. When they left the room to go into dinner, they didn’t go by birth order. I know that was probably done to give more screen time for the leads… but preference and propriety were certainly overlooked. It is such a funny movie. I have always loved it. Thank you for giving it the attention it deserves. Is it perfect… no. It is pure entertainment and a glimpse at movie making and acting from a bygone era. Those guys are icons in the cinematic arena. They are institutions. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thanks. They were icons because they could act. Just watch the scene where Lydia presents Wickham as her new husband to Mr. Bennet. Edmund Gwenn said so much with a look and slow turn as he cut them. That’s acting, my friend.

    • Meg on June 28, 2019 at 8:52 am
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    Jack, I’m glad there are some real men around thinking about and writing Jane Austen fanfics. Keep up the great work and writing your opinions about others. To me, you can’t beat Colin Firth as Darcy in the scene in the music room at Pemberley or as he visits Elizabeth as she tells him of Lydia. But Colin did agree with you that Lawrence O. was a wonderful Darcy.

    1. Thanks. I’m one of the few … the happy few … that band of brothers who understand that Jane Austen is NOT chick-lit.

      All the Darcys I’ve reviewed so far had their moments. Firth you mentioned. Macfadyen as he looks back at Longbourn after Bingley’s proposal. Rintoul striding off after he handed Elizabeth The Letter. And Olivier just by walking into a room. 🙂

    • Regina on June 28, 2019 at 9:26 am
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    Very entertaining synopsis of this adaptation. I’ll have to try to find it!

    1. It’s worth the search. Thanks!

    • Eva Edmonds on June 28, 2019 at 10:33 am
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    I have such trouble with this movie, and I cannot get over the Gone with the Wind costumes. Sorry. I do think that there is much humor in it, and the acting is excellent. I appreciate your thoughts on the film. Thank you for the giveaway. I love audiobooks for walking and doing mindless things.

    1. Cool. Good luck!

    • Sonia on June 28, 2019 at 11:00 am
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    Well, Mr. Caldwell, I will be checking out the Amazon website directly to see if they carry the Pride and Prejudice version with Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson and also the 1980 version. I read P&J in high school In Literature class (not in US; those books are not read in schools here, more’s the pity) and it has remained one of my favorites. Currently, I have the A&E and the Matthew Macfadyen (stiff as a board!) versions. I much prefer the former. Also, in Macfadyen version, why was Knightley’s Elizabeth never seen wearing a bonnet? Can’t wait to see if Olivier also trumps the two that I hope to acquire shortly. Loved your observations and thank you for alerting me to two other versions that I might have otherwise overlooked.

    1. Sonia, I have links above to my reviews on P&P 1980, 1995, and 2005. I have the same problem you do with Knightley’s lack of a bonnet. Thanks and good luck.

    • Beatrice on June 28, 2019 at 12:53 pm
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    We all have our own opinions and mine disagrees with you about Greer Garson. She was lovely in many films, but IMHO she was annoying and way too old in this one. Actually Olivier was all I liked about this version. However this was the only version people had in the 40s, and my mother saved and treasured a review of it from when it first came out. There are also many charming and intriguing stories about the making of this film given in an article in one of back volumes of JASNA’s volumes of Persuasions.

    1. I’ll have to find that article. Thanks!

    • Megan on June 28, 2019 at 5:49 pm
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    Hi Jack! Thank you for defending this one! I know there are some that can’t stand this adaptation but like you said there’s good parts to each – you just have to look. I wholeheartedly agree – love Laurence Olivier in pretty much any movie I’ve seen him in and I feel like he nails Darcy in this. I can ignore the costumes knowing the context of why they were used (and while inaccurate for the time) I don’t feel like they distract from the overall story.

    Edna May Oliver is my hands down favorite Lady Catherine! Her imperiousness is exactly what I’d imagined and what I’d hoped to get from Dame Judy Dench (after her stellar Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love – I was so hopeful for her Lady C but sadly disappointed- I blame the writing/directing for that).

    My favorite scene in this one is at the end when Darcy visits the Bennetts and he’s heading outside after Elizabeth to go find Jane in the garden – right as he heads out the door he tosses his gloves onto the hall table. It’s a small thing but I always thought it symbolized Darcy throwing off his proud demeanor to reach out and take Lizzy’s hand for a happy life together. Just my thoughts. Thanks for yours!

    1. I got a different read on the scene you mention. I think it was Olivier stating that Darcy is the same as he ever was, just better understood. I liked it, too.

    • Sophia Simeonidou on June 29, 2019 at 12:11 am
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    Hi Jack! I’ve seen this movie and I agree that it’s funny and had actors of quality, especially Lorence Olivier. It is a nice period film, but imho it is not Jane Austen. I have seen all the adaptations and I find the 1995’s version the best, but to each their own. Thanks for the giveaway!

    1. Thanks for commenting!

    • Teresa on June 29, 2019 at 12:59 am
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    I love those actors, and can’t believe I’ve never watched this version! Thank you for your wonderful introduction to it. It is definitely on my to watch list now! And congratulations on your new release!

    1. If you watch it with an open mind, you should find it diverting. Thanks!

    • Agnes on June 29, 2019 at 12:34 pm
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    Hi Jack, Thank you for the review. I saw this one once – it’s certainly an original. In spite of all the strangeness, Olivier did make me swoon… I’ll rewatch it someday, when I’m ready to better appreciate all its nuances. I’m very glad Crescent City is coming to Audible and hope to listen to it soon! Thanks for the giveaway chance!

    1. Good luck, Agnes!

    • junewilliams7 on June 30, 2019 at 2:12 am
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    I like your attitude. So I started thinking about this movie as its own thing – maybe “inspired by Jane Austen’s work” but not exact, not a point-by-point outline from PP. And you are right, it has its own good points and performances. Good post, Cajun Cheesehead!

    1. Wait til I get to “Bride and Prejudice!”

    • Anji on June 30, 2019 at 5:11 pm
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    I’m so happy to read your summary and opinion of this version, Jack. I probably wouldn’t be here commenting if I hadn’t seen it one Sunday afternoon sometime in the winter of, I believe, 1966/67. My 11 year old self fell in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy that day. I checked the book out of my school library the very next day. OK, a lot of the nuances were lost on me at that age and I have to admit to being somewhat disappointed that the archery scene was an invention of the film makers, but I was hooked on Miss Austen’s writing from then on. I still have a soft spot for it all these years later.

    Looking forward to reading your opinions of P&P&Z and Bride and Prejudice!

    And I simply love audiobooks!

    1. Thanks!

    • CindyH on July 1, 2019 at 9:24 am
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    I adore this adaptation because it doesn’t stick to the book. It is funny and it is classic Hollywood. I love it.

    1. Sometimes Hollywood does good. Thanks!

    • Agnes on August 2, 2019 at 4:50 am
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    Hi Jack,
    When is the audiobook giveaway winner announced? Or did I miss it? Thanks!

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