The Howards of Virginia was Cary Grant's 37th full length feature film and was released today, back in 1940.
Cary Grant plays Matt Howard, whose friendship with Thomas Jefferson (Richard Carlson) leads him into a life of aristocracy, politics and family.
"Obviously miscast, Cary Grant meets the exigencies of a difficult role with more gusto than persuasion."
- Newsweek
"The Howards of Virginia, based on Elizabeth Page's The Tree of Liberty, defies anyone not to believe in the struggles of the colonists before and during the revolution."
- Philip T. Hartung, The Commonweal.
The source material was The Tree of Liberty, a 985 page novel, by Elizabeth Page. On its release in Britain, the film title was changed to the book title.
With Paul Kelly.
With Alan Marshal, Martha Scott and Cedric Hardwicke.
Cast:
Matt Howard Cary Grant
Jane Peyton-Howard Martha Scott
Fleetwood Peyton Cedric Hardwicke
Roger Peyton Alan Marshal
Thomas Jefferson Richard Carlson
Captain Jabez Allen Paul Kelly
Tom Norton Irving Bacon
Aunt Clarissa Elizabeth Risdon
Mrs. Norton Ann Revere
James Howard at 12 Richard Alden
Peyton Howard at 18 Phil Taylor
Mary Howard at 17 Rita Quigley
Dicey Libby Taylor
Patrick Henry Richard Gaines
George Washington George Huston
Peter Cushing made an appearance as Leslie Stephens.
Some scenes were filmed on location at Williamsburg, the historic city which was reconstructed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. as a $20,000,000 project to perpetuate America's past.
On location with some fans.
Lobby Cards:
A newspaper advertisement.
Directed by Frank Lloyd.
Produced and distributed by Columbia.
Running time: 117 minutes.
