In the mid-1930's, quotas imposed by the British government on the number of foreign films that could be shown in the United Kingdom had American film companies looking for ways to get their product into the country. MGM decided to produce a series of "prestige pictures" in Great Britain, using MGM know-how and a combination of British and American talent.

Englishman Michael Balcon was chosen to head MGM's U.K. studio, and in the summer of 1937, shooting began on their first feature, A Yank at Oxford (1938), with Balcon producing and directing. It's the story of a cocky midwestern college athlete (Robert Taylor) who learns about loyalty and school spirit when he goes to Oxford as an exchange student.

For the stunningly handsome Taylor, who'd been playing swoony romantic leads in films like Camille (1936), it was an opportunity to change a somewhat sissy image by playing a more masculine hero. Taylor trained hard for the part, soaking in tubs of ice before the rowing sequences, which were filmed in cold water. He showed off his buff body and hairy chest in skimpy athletic wear. He challenged professional athletes. MGM head Louis B. Mayer was pleased. "Now you are a man, Bob," he told Taylor.

The leading lady, Irish actress Maureen O'Sullivan, enjoyed a reunion with her convent school friend Vivien Leigh, who had a small part. Leigh, a year before she won the role of Scarlett O'Hara, was still a relative unknown. Mayer didn't want her for the part in A Yank at Oxford, until the canny Balcon pointed out that since Leigh was English, the studio wouldn't have to pay her travel expenses.

Mayer was determined to show everyone who was boss, and was constantly on the set. He berated Balcon within earshot of O'Sullivan and Leigh, and Balcon soon resigned. American Jack Conway took over as director, though Balcon retained the producer credit. Many writers worked on the film, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, who provided some clever dialogue, but did not receive a screen credit.

A Yank at Oxford was a big hit, and MGM's British production unit was successfully launched. It would take a world war to end it.

Director: Jack Conway
Producer: Michael Balcon
Screenplay: Malcom Stuart Boylan, Walter Ferris, George Oppenheimer; original story by Leon Gordon, Sidney Gilliatt, Michael Hogan; based on an idea by John Monk Saunders. Uncredited writers include F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Editors: Margaret Booth, Charles Freund
Cinematography: Harold Rosson
Music: Hubert Bath, Edmund Gordon
Cast: Robert Taylor (Lee Sheridan), Lionel Barrymore (Dan Sheridan), Maureen O'Sullivan (Molly Beaumont), Vivien Leigh (Elsa Craddock), Edmund Gwen (Dean of Cardinal College), Griffith Jones (Paul Beaumont)
BW-103m. Closed captioning.

by Margarita Landazuri