Big Fella

Big Fella
Directed by	J. Elder Wills
Produced by	Henry Passmore J. Elder Wills
Written by	Claude McKay (novel) Ingram D'Abbes Fenn Sherie
Starring	Paul Robeson Elisabeth Welch Roy Emerton James Hayter
Music by	G. H. Clutsam Wilhelm Grosz Eric Ansell Jack Beaver
Cinematography	Cyril Bristow George Stretton H.A.R. Thomson
Edited by	Brereton Porter Douglas Robertson
Release dates	8 April 1937
Running time	85 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Big Fella is a 1937 British musical drama film directed by J. Elder Wills and starring Paul Robeson, Elisabeth Welch and Roy Emerton. It is loosely based on the novel Banjo by Harlem Renaissance writer Claude McKay.

Plot

Big Fella is set on the docks and streets of Marseilles. Paul Robeson stars in the leading role, as a street-wise but honest dockworker who struggles with deep issues of integrity and human values. Elisabeth Welch plays opposite him as a café singer in love with him. Robeson’s wife, Eslanda Robeson, appears as the café owner.^[1]

Reception

The movie received high praise, particularly for the music, featuring Robeson and Welch, Robeson's performance.

Cast

• Paul Robeson as Banjo
• Elisabeth Welch as Amanda 'Manda'
• Roy Emerton as Spike
• James Hayter as Chuck
• Lawrence Brown as Corney
• Eldon Gorst as Gerald Oliphant
• Marcelle Rogez as Marietta
• Eric Cowley as Ferdy Oliphant
• Joyce Kennedy as Mrs. Oliphant
• Dino Galvani as Gendarme
• Anthony Holles as Gendarme
• Margaret Rutherford as Nanny

References

1. "MRS. ROBESON DOES EXIST.". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939) (Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia). 12 January 1938. p. 10. Retrieved 5 August 2012.

External links

• Big Fella at the Internet Movie Database
• Big Fella is available for free download at the Internet Archive