The Late George Apley (1947)

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Apley is a handsomely produced film with an atmosphere faithful to Boston of the early 1900s.

Taken from John P. Marquand's novel, the film is a gentle satire of veddy uppah-class Bostonians and the familial and personal demands put upon them as they strive to maintain their social status.

Colman is superb as the patriarch whose outward stuffiness hides the compassion and caring beneath the facade.

Colman with Vanessa Brown and Mildred Natwick

At right:
Poster courtesy of Christine in France, who notes: "2 cinemas in Paris are playing to packed audiences "The Late George Apley". This movie was never released in France until the 7th July 2004. But it proves extremely popular. It's a brand new copy made from the Fox restored original negative."