Owd Bob Review

• 17th May 2011

The famed Gainsborough studios were one half of legendary producer Michael Balcon’s base, which also included the more prestigious Gaumont-British Picture Corporation. Whilst Gaumont concentrated on high production values, Gainsborough churned out B-movies of various types. Released in 1938, Owd Bob was one of these B-movies and is a very gentle melodrama involving two feuding farmers.

Scottish farmer McAdam (Will Fyffe) is known for fighting with all his neighbours on a variety of issues. The arrival of newcomer David Moore (John Loder) presents a fresh problem for McAdam, as he has a sheepdog, Owd Bob, who’ll challenge McAdam’s two-time champion at the upcoming trials. The love interest is supplied by the gorgeous Margaret Lockwood as McAdam’s daughter who’s naturally attracted to Moore.

Owd Bob is a simple over-the-top melodrama designed for the masses to enjoy. The storyline is basic at best and you know exactly what’s going to happen from the first 10 minutes of the film. Production values reflect the B-movie approach of Gainsborough at this time. The endless footage from the sheepdog trials makes you think that in an Ed Wood style they acquired this first and then built the story around it.

The saving grace is Margaret Lockwood who is, without doubt, one of the very few British actresses who exudes sexuality in all settings. Her beauty, matched by her spirit of independence and rebellion, was something Gainsborough used all the way through the lurid melodramas of the 40s. The peak came in 1945 with The Wicked Lady which still holds up to this day. The other performers are on the whole workmanlike, if a little ripe at times.

Owd Bob also has some very nice location work from the sheepdog trials to the footage on the hills and in the village. The location provides a strong sense of authenticity which lifts the film above the commonplace. The film’s championing of the British countryside echoes a strong theme of the day during the war years, perhaps reaching its peak with Michael Powell’s beguiling A Canterbury Tale in 1944.

Owd Bob is a film mainly for enthusiasts about this period in UK film-making (or sheepdogs). This new DVD by Odeon is the first time Owd Bob has been available since the days of VHS. The print is somewhat aged but you can’t expect a re-mastered version given the film’s lack of importance. Owd Bob is mostly forgettable but for the appearance of the headstrong Margaret Lockwood which remains vibrant.

Aled Jones