Poet's Pub

Derek Bond, ex-university champion rower, ex-RAF pilot and aspiring poet winds up the manager of a rural pub. He gently woos Rona Anderson, daughter of John Robertson Justice, eminent professor and literary critic in this amusing screen adaptation of Eric Linklater's novel.

I thought it a jolly little comedy, although its free mixture of town and country, of serious literary issues and low comedy might have been a little early for the sort of comedy that would become a successful sort of movie with DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE. Justice plays what would become his signature sort of role, as a professor of English and critic; Joyce Grenfell is a cheery bluestocking, and Iris Hoey plays Bond's mother as if he is Lord Peter Wimsey.

Perhaps the movie's lack of popularity is due to Bond's character; he is simply too smart, efficient and successful at what he sets out to do to merit much sympathy from the audience. It's a comedy, so we know he's going to succeed; it would be nice if he had some doubts.