Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

In that magical year of 1939, when so many great movies were released, Goodbye, Mr. Chips also made its appearance. The story of the gentle schoolmaster who served Brookfield School for 53 years won Robert Donat a Best Actor Academy Award, in a year of incredibly brisk competition. As you may remember, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler was among the competition.

While it may not please audiences today the way it formerly did, Goodbye, Mr. Chips is still a masterful character study made during the golden age of film and features the best of MGM's considerable stable of talent and other resources.

Adapted by James Hilton from his novel, the film opens with the elderly Chips (Robert Donat) locked out of first day assembly, with a new kid, also late. Following the assembly, Chips returns home and his housekeeper has laid out his usual feast of sweets for afternoon tea with the boys. Chips sits by the fire and drifts off to sleep, beginning the flashback that shows the highlights of his long career.

It wasn't always "Chips." He started out as Charles Chipping, a timid new schoolmaster at Brookfield who found handling the kids difficult. In response to the headmaster's admonition to shape up or ship out, Chipping becomes a stern taskmaster. But Chipping, despite having control over the students, lacks their respect and remains an outsider.

That changes when he reluctantly accepts an invitation from the German schoolmaster Max (Paul Henreid). On a misty mountain he responds to what he thinks is a call for help. After climbing up some dangerous crags he finds the voice belongs to Katharine (Greer Garson). Over the course of several days he woos her after a fashion, but only at their parting does he realize what a mistake it was to let her go without making plans. As luck would have it, they meet again and as she's departing on the train he proposes and she accepts.

His fellow faculty suppose that Chipping's new bride will be hideous and are taken aback when he appears wanting to introduce her. But he brings her in and they all melt, because Katharine is one of the most charming ladies they have ever met. It is she that opens the door to Chipping's acceptance among the faculty and students. The teas with students were her idea, also, and Chipping is soon the kids' favorite. Alas, their happiness is short lived, as Katharine dies in childbirth only a year after they were married and the child was stillborn, too.

But Katharine's influence persists and soon Chipping, or Chips, as Katharine dubbed him, with his new self confidence and winning personality is a fixture at Brookfield. Even a new headmaster who wants Chips to retire is soon won over. Chips finally retires but is called back to serve as headmaster, a lifelong goal, when WWII calls all able-bodied men to the front lines.

The cinematography is well done and the costuming and sets are in keeping with MGM's high standards. The movie is basically Robert Donat's and he carries the weight admirably, aging about 50 years by way of layers of makeup.

The supporting cast is also well chosen, particularly the introduction of Greer Garson and Paul Henreid in their first movie roles. Terry Kilburn plays multiple generations of the Colley family, whom Chips teaches through his long career.

The Warner Bros DVD contains a pristine copy of the black and white film that lasts 114 minutes and is presented in 4:3 format. The only extras are audio language and subtitle choices.

Goodbye, Mr. Chips may seem dated today to those who demand non-stop action, but as a leisurely paced character study, it still can hold its own.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening