I love Mr. Chips

As a former choir geek I remember singing “You And I” and “Fill the World with Love”. I didn’t know that they were part of a movie musical until today when I saw Goodbye Mr. Chips on TCM. It’s a good movie—smart dialogue and touching in the right places without being too maudlin. When it came out in 1969, many viewers and critics were unimpressed with the soundtrack and were especially confused with the fact that the songs just played in the background as the characters’ inner monologue—or inner sing-along, if you will—a clear departure from the style of musicals at that time, in which actors suddenly burst into song mid-dialogue. While I have nothing against spontaneous musical numbers (I do it all the time), I personally thought Goodbye Mr. Chips’ rather subdued musical style was appropriate to the simple, quiet nature of the story. I would’ve been disturbed if Peter O’ Toole’s character suddenly let rip. (Though it would’ve been okay with Petula Clark’s character. She is, after all, Petula Clark.)

That said, I think I shall add Goodbye, Mr. Chips to my list of favorite movies and I look forward to seeing it again—at my favorite deebeedee- deebeedee store. Hehe.

Chips: Is my wife here?

Ursula: Wife? Which wife, darling?

Chips: She was called Katherine Bridges.

Ursula: Katie? Of course she's here! Did you say 'wife,' darling?

Chips: Yes.

Ursula: Well, that would make you her husband, wouldn't it?

Chips: Yes, it would.

Ursula: Then she's not here, darling. She's nowhere near the place.