MovieChat Forums > The Farmer's Wife (1930) Discussion > One of the funniest and sweetest films I...

One of the funniest and sweetest films I've ever seen


What a wonderful story and so well acted and shot. The humour is fantastic and mostly visual (check out that trifle that wobbles along with the nervous and highly-strung woman Sweetland calls on).

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Is a rare gem indeed, and I agree with you, it was well acted and shot and the music made a perfect match. I had a wonderful time watching this movie. Those who like silent's don't miss this jewel.

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As far as I can recall, it is the only silent movie I have seen. A window into the past but what an enjoyable view.

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You've never seen a Chaplin film? No Gold Rush, no City Lights, no Modern Times??? :0

You're missing out!

I loved this film too though I watched it a long time ago on a nice VHS print which had no music, then I watched it again later on DVD print that was terrible, with canned music. I actually preferred the silent tape version, go figure! It was a far better print, fewer artifacts.

I also read the original novel by Eden Phillpots, though the IMDb wrongly says it was based on a "play". The novel is called Widecombe Fair and can be bought off abe.com. I have a Photoplay edition, though it is very old. Worth checking out because the dialogue and the situations of the characters are so funny and will make you laugh.

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I also read the original novel by Eden Phillpots, though the IMDb wrongly says it was based on a "play". The novel is called Widecombe Fair and can be bought off abe.com. I have a Photoplay edition, though it is very old. Worth checking out because the dialogue and the situations of the characters are so funny and will make you laugh.


Actually, it was based on the play 'The Farmer's Wife', which was based on the novel you mentioned: http://www.hitchcockwiki.com/wiki/Eden_Phillpots

Latest film seen: Rich and Strange (1932) 4/5

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I really enjoyed this film as well. But I thought they spent wayyyyy too much time on the farmer's handyman, though, and his troubles. He was the first person shown in the film, and I at first thought the film was going to be about him. And one wonders why the farmer spends all his time wading through all of those homely looking women when Minta his housekeeper was the cutest and sweetest looking one of all. I would have latched onto her first in a heartbeat.

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I just finished watching this one and thoroughly enjoyed it. The acting was superb and the story was so sweet. Even with it being one of his early works, you can definitely see the Hitchcock hand in it. I totally agree with what's been said above, it's a gem. It's going on my list of rainy day movies.


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I recently bought a Hitchcock box set and I had never seen any of his early movies. This is one of the best silent movies I've seen. Beautifully shot, well-acted, and a wonderful story. The actors faces convey such emotion, they are almost rubber-faced. They perform without the melodramatic acting I'm used to seeing in a silent movie. Hitchcocks directing power is on display here as well.
Just a great movie made 80 years ago. Amazing!

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I was pleasantly surprised. Old Hitch had a cinematic touch right from the early days. No wonder he got to be such a big director.

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Great film but like all RomComs the ending is pretty much predicted in the first 5 minutes

Half Irish, Half German - hated by all. But at least I'm not Welsh 

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