Juno and the Paycock (1930 film)
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| Juno and the Paycock | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster |
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| Directed by | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Produced by | John Maxwell |
| Written by | Play: Sean O'Casey Adaptation: Alfred Hitchcock Scenario: Alma Reville |
| Starring | Barry Fitzgerald Maire O'Neill Edward Chapman Sidney Morgan Sara Allgood |
| Cinematography | Jack E. Cox |
| Editing by | Emile de Ruelle |
| Distributed by |  Wardour Films Ltd. Harold Auten |
| Release date(s) | 1930 June 29, 1930 |
| Running time | 85 min. |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Juno and the Paycock is a 1930 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It stars Barry Fitzgerald, Maire O'Neill, Edward Chapman and Sara Allgood.
[edit] Plot
Barry Fitzgerald acts as narrator of the film. Captain Boyle (Edward Chapman) lives in a two room tenement flat with his wife Juno (Sara Allgood) and children Mary (Kathleen O'Reg) and Johnny (John Laurie). Juno has dubbed him "Captain Paycock" because she thinks him as useful and vain as a Peacock. Juno works while the Captain loafs around the flat or frequents the local pub.
Daughter Mary has a job but is presently on strike against the victimization of a co-worker. Son Johnny has become a semi invalid after losing an arm and severely injuring his hip in a street fight during his freedom fighting days. Johnny's father tells his friend Joxer (Sidney Morgan) of his disdain for son Johnny for ratting out a fellow compatriot.
Daughter Mary is courted by Jerry Devine (Dave Morris) but dumps him for Charlie Bentham (John Longden) who whisks her away after telling Mary's family the Captain is to receive an inheritance. The elated Captain borrows money against the (as yet un-received) inheritance and spends it freely on new furniture and a Victrola. Family friends are invited to an impromptu party at the once shabby flat.
The Captain soon learns the inheritance a was a lie by Charles most likely to gain Mary's favors. The Captain keeps the bad news a secret until creditors show up. Former friend Joxer turns on the captain and spreads the rumor of the non existent inheritance . The furniture store repossess the furniture. The tailor demands money for new clothes. Pub owner Mrs. Madigan’ (Maire O'Neill) takes the Victrola to cover the Captain's bar tab.
The families' woes continue to mount. Son Johnny is murdered after former compatriots hear of his disloyalty in turning in a fellow freedom fighter. Mary shames the family by becoming pregnant by Charlie who has since disappeared. Former beau Johnny proclaims his love for Mary and offers to take her back until he learns of her pregnancy. Juno, realizing the family is destroyed, laments their fate to the Lord.
[edit] Production
The film was based on the successful play Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey. Hitchcock filmed a faithful reproduction of the play using few of the directorial touches he had incorporated in his previous films. Instead he often held the camera for long single shots. He was eager to have a scene set outside the flat inserted into the film, and after permission from O'Casey, added a pub scene. O'Casey made quite an impression on Hitchcock, and was the inspiration for the prophet of doom in the diner in The Birds.
This was the second sound film by Alfred Hitchcock. The cast's thick Irish brogue, along with the still primitive sound recording techniques, rendered the dialogue nearly incomprehensible to anyone outside of the region.
Sara Allgood reprised her role as Juno from the play. Barry Fitzgerald made his film debut.
Like other Hitchcock films made for British International Pictures, its current copyright status is at best ambiguous and it is generally considered to be in the public domain. Primarily due to its association with the still-popular Hitchcock, the film is widely available in the United States in the VHS format, generally at very low prices due to the fact that no copyright fees have been paid. However, this also means that copy quality may be rather poor. Many of the VHS copies available have been poorly cropped to fit the format, and the sound quality may also be poor, which is an important consideration for audiences who have a hard time following the cast's authentic Irish brogues in any event. It is unlikely that any major restoration of the film will be undertaken, at least while its copyright status remains unclear, as there would be no financial incentive for anyone to undertake it, since others would be free to redistribute the restored version.
