The Great Garrick

The Great Garrick

Year: 1937

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: James Whale

RomanceComedy

HE’S WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT! (Just ask Olivia!) A British actor insults a French acting group only to fall victim to a prank that might destroy his career.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Great Garrick (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Great Garrick (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1750

Set in the mid-18th century, the film portrays a vibrant era of theatre and celebrity. London is shown as a hub of acting talent and public appetite for spectacle, while Paris represents a pinnacle of French theatrical prestige. The period emphasizes cross-channel cultural exchange, theatrical bravado, and the fragility of actor reputations.

Location

London, Paris

The story unfolds primarily in London in 1750, capturing a bustling English theatre scene. It then moves toward Paris, where the prestigious Comédie-Française dominates French stage culture. An inn along the road serves as a pivotal crossroads between English and French performances. The settings together illustrate a world where theatre, travel, and national pride collide.

🎭 Theatre setting 🏛️ 18th century 🗺️ London–Paris travel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:11

Main Characters – The Great Garrick (1937)

Meet the key characters of The Great Garrick (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

David Garrick (Brian Aherne)

Renowned English actor who travels toward Paris to perform with the Comédie-Française. He is quick-witted, charming, and confident in his craft, yet his pride nearly blinds him to warning signs. Across the night, he confronts his ego, discovers genuine affection, and reaffirms the value of authentic performance.

🎭 Charismatic 🧠 Clever ❤️ Romantic

Germaine de la Corbe (Olivia de Havilland)

A virginal young woman fleeing an arranged marriage, who encounters Garrick at the inn. She projects charm and courage, blending vulnerability with boldness. Her evolving feelings for Garrick challenge both their assumptions about love and performance.

❤️ Romantic 🎭 Independent 🗺️ Escaping

Tubby (Edward Everett Horton)

Garrick’s loyal valet and companion, cautious and protective. He voices concerns for safety and propriety, often acting as a moral counterpoint to Garrick’s bravado. His steadiness helps anchor the shifting dynamics of the night.

🎩 Loyal 🧠 Practical 🤝 Supportive

M. W. Picard

Leader of the Paris troupe and instigator of the plot to undermine Garrick as a showcase of superiority. He embodies theatrical ambition and the maneuverings of a counterbalance to English influence. His leadership drives the initial antagonism that the night seeks to resolve.

🎭 Ambitious 🧭 Calculated 🗣️ Leader

Jean Cabot

An elderly prompter for the Comédie who once acted with Garrick and travels to warn him. He embodies loyalty and wisdom, urging Garrick to heed early warnings. His perspective bridges past collaborations with present tensions.

🎭 Loyal 🧠 Wise 🗨️ Informant

M. Beaumarchais

The sharp-witted French figure who participates in the playfully hostile plot against Garrick. He represents the clever, reform-minded energy of the French stage. His involvement foreshadows the dialogic clash and eventual mutual respect between theatres.

🎭 Clever 🧠 Witty 🗼 Cultural

Innkeeper of Adam and Eve

A comic host whose inn becomes the pressure cooker for escalating antics, including the plan to impede Garrick’s escape. He embodies the chaotic charm of a bustling mid-18th-century roadside stop. His role amplifies the farcical elements of the night.

😂 Funny 🏨 Local 🍽️ Social Hub

M. Noverre

A prominent figure associated with the Paris theatre, adding depth to the cross-cultural landscape. He contributes to the ensemble’s dynamic and the evolving conversation about acting styles. His presence grounds the narrative in a broader teatrical milieu.

🎭 Prestige 🧠 Expert 🎩 Formal

Mlle. Molee

A member of the French company who appears in the inn’s surrounding theatrics, representing the broader ensemble beyond Garrick and Germaine. She adds a layer of theatrical atmosphere to the night’s events.

🎭 Ensemble 🗣️ Performer 👀 Observant

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:11

Major Themes – The Great Garrick (1937)

Explore the central themes of The Great Garrick (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Theatre and Authenticity

The narrative centers on acting as craft versus performance as persona. Garrick’s pride and impulsive gestures reveal the tension between public illusion and private truth. The inn scenes highlight how genuine connection can outshine showman bravado, guiding character growth and reconciliation.

🌍 Cross-Cultural Rivalry

Parisian theatre politics roil as a rival troupe plots to diminish Garrick, exposing suspicion between English and French companies. The tension evolves into mutual recognition as Garrick later praises La Belle France, signaling a nuanced exchange rather than simple rivalry. The story uses cross-cultural dynamics to explore respect forged through competition.

❤️ Love and Misunderstanding

Garrick and Germaine’s romance unfolds amid misread intentions and theatrical deception. The lover’s bond is tested by Garrick’s disguises and the surrounding scheming, but honesty ultimately prevails. The culmination hinges on a clarified love that transcends performance and national pride.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:11

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The Great Garrick Summary

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The Great Garrick Summary

The Great Garrick Timeline

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The Great Garrick Timeline

More About The Great Garrick

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