The House of Trent
| The House of Trent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Norman Walker |
| Written by | Charles Bennett Billie Bristow |
| Produced by | W.G.D. Hutchinson |
| Starring | Anne Grey John Stuart Wendy Barrie Peter Gawthorne |
| Cinematography | Robert Martin |
Production companies | B & H Productions |
| Distributed by | Butcher's Film Service |
Release date |
|
Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The House of Trent (also known as Trent's Folly[1]) is a 1933 British drama film directed by Norman Walker and starring Anne Grey, Wendy Barrie, Moore Marriott and Peter Gawthorne.[1][2] It was written by Charles Bennett and Billie Bristow, and made at Ealing Studios in London.[3]
Preservation status
The British Film Institute National Archive holds a collection of stills but no film or video materials.[1]
Plot
John Trent ia a promising medical student with a bright future who inadvertently causes a patient's death after neglecting his responsibilities at the hospital. His error is sensationalised by Lord Fairdown’s newspaper, which exposes his negligence in a circulation-boosting campaign. However, Fairdown is unaware that John had actually been with Fairdown’s own daughter, Angela, at the time. To fund libel proceedings against Fairdown, John's mother sells the family home. But a legal battle is avoided when she appeals to Fairdown personally, revealing that John's late father was the doctor who once saved Angela’s life. Fairdown relents. Angela abandons her planned arranged marriage to the son of a rival press baron, and chooses a future with John.[4]
Cast
- Anne Grey as Rosemary Trent
- John Stuart as John Trent
- Wendy Barrie as Angela Fairdown
- Peter Gawthorne as Lord Fairdown
- Hope Davey as Joan
- Norah Baring as Barbara
- Hubert Harben as editor
- Moore Marriott as Ferrier
- Jack Raine as Peter
- Dora Gregory as Mary
- Estelle Winwood as Charlotte
- Hay Plumb as jury foreman
- Victor Stanley as Spriggs
- Humberston Wright as coachman
Reception
Kine Weekly wrote: "Anne Grey wins sympathy and displays sense of character as Rosemary, John Stuart contributes a sound and realistic study in the dual role of father and son, Wendy Barrie reveals intelligence and is attractive as Angela, and Peter Gawthorne is good as Fairdown. ... This picture dismisses sophistication and subtlety and relies on homely sentiment for its popular appeal."[5]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Directed on rather old-fashioned lines, film manages to sustain interest by virtue of interesting backgrounds and sincere treatment. John Stuart, Anne Grey and Wendy Barrie act well within limitations of their parts."[4]
Picturegoer wrote: "Quite a good homely story ... It is told in a straightforward, unsophisticated manner and contains quite good characterisation. Anne Grey is sympathetic as the mother and John Stuart does well in the dual role of her son and her husband. Wendy Barrie displays intelligence and attractiveness as the girl in the case."[6]
References
- 1 2 3 "The House of Trent". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "The House of Trent (1933)". BFI. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009.
- ↑ Wood, Linda (1986). British Films, 1927–1939 (PDF). British Film Institute. p. 78. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2022.
- 1 2 "The House of Trent". The Daily Film Renter (2113): 4. 1 December 1933. ProQuest 3127087307.
- ↑ "The House of Trent". Kine Weekly. 202 (1390): 26. 7 December 1933. ProQuest 2362035229.
- ↑ "The House of Trent". Picturegoer. 3: 24. 3 April 1934. ProQuest 1771129736.