Valley of Song

Valley of Song is a 1953 British comedy drama film directed by Gilbert Gunn and starring Mervyn Johns, Clifford Evans, Maureen Swanson and the London Welsh Association Choral Society.[2] It marked the film debut of actress Rachel Roberts.[3] It was released in the U.S. as Men Are Children Twice.[4]

Valley of Song
Original British quad poster
Directed byGilbert Gunn
Screenplay byPhil Park
Cliff Gordon
Based onthe play Choir Practice by Cliff Gordon
Produced byVaughan N. Dean
StarringMervyn Johns
Clifford Evans
Rachel Thomas
CinematographyLionel Banes
Edited byRichard Best
Music byRobert Gill
Production
company
Distributed byAssociated British-Pathé (UK)
Release date
  • 13 April 1953 (1953-04-13) (UK)
[1]
Running time
72 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Premise

Fierce rivalries flare to the surface in a small Welsh town over a coveted role in the local choir.

Cast

Production

Filmed on location in Carmarthenshire in 1952, as well as at Elstree Studios, Valley of Song marks the first film appearance of Rachel Roberts and the first film credit of Kenneth Williams, both of whom worked together in Swansea repertory theatre in 1950 under the directorship of Clifford Evans, who also stars in the film.[1]

Release

After the initial trade screening to cinema bookers on 26 February 1953, Valley of Song had four simultaneous World premieres in Wales, opening at cinemas in Cardiff, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, and Swansea, all on 13 April 1953.[1]

Critical reception

Eye for Film noted "an enjoyable if somewhat low-key story which, at 72 minutes in length, would make for a suitably harmonious Sunday afternoon. From the whistle of the steam trains, to the film’s score, provided courtesy of the London Welsh Association Choral Society, Valley Of Song is a pleasing if utterly unchallenging delight."[5]

References
  1. "75 Years of Choir Practice". Art & Hue. 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  2. "Valley of Song (1953)". Archived from the original on 17 January 2009.
  3. "Rachel Roberts | Movies and Filmography".
  4. "Valley of Song (1953) - Gilbert Gunn - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  5. "Valley Of Song (1953) Movie Review from Eye for Film". www.eyeforfilm.co.uk.


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