Lady Godiva of Coventry is a 1955 American Technicolorhistoricaldrama film, directed by Arthur Lubin. It starred Maureen O'Hara in the title role. Alec Harford, the English actor who portrayed Tom the Tailor, died eight months before the film's release.
The film is set in 11th-century England. King Edward the Confessor wants the Saxon Lord Leofric, who rules Coventry, to marry a Norman woman, Yolanda. When he refuses, he is sentenced to jail, where he meets Godiva, the sheriff's sister. The two fall in love and soon they are wed. The times are turbulent and Godiva proves a militant bride; unhistorically, unrest between the Anglo-Saxon populace and the increasingly influential Norman French lead to her famous ride.
In early 1954, it was announced that Maureen O'Hara would star in the film based on a script by Oscar Brodney produced by Robert Arthur.[4] It was made at Universal, where O'Hara had a one-film-a-year contract. The script was described as "semi-historical".[5]
Lex Barker was reportedly going to play the male lead but O'Hara objected, claiming audiences would only see him as Tarzan.[6]Jeff Chandler was signed instead.[7]Victor McLaglen joined the cast as Chandler's helper.[8]
Shortly before filming began, however, Chandler was replaced by a Universal contractee, George Nader. Chandler was still making Foxfire which would finish only a day before Godiva was scheduled to start and wanted a break. Nader had previously replaced Chandler on Five Rivers to Cross after the star was suspended by the studio due to a contract dispute.[9]
Arthur Lubin was assigned to direct. He said he did not want to but the studio would put him under suspension if he refused. He later called it "a bad picture".[10]
Rex Reason joined the cast. He had previously been acting for Universal under the name "Bart Roberts" but for this film the studio allowed him to use his real name.[12]
Maureen O'Hara filmed the famous ride wearing a leotard, with her long hair covering the rest of her body. Arthur Lubin said he was inspired by the painting of Landseer.[13] The sequence was shot on a closed set.[14]
Diabolique magazine wrote in 2019, "Why this movie tanked compared to other colourful costume periods of the time is a mystery – it’s bright and cheerful and stars Maureen O’Hara in all her red haired glory (she does the final ride in a body stocking, in case you’re wondering). Maybe more screen time should have been devoted to her rather than her leading man, Universal’s back up Jeff Chandler, George Nader, but I’ve always liked this movie – like so much of Lubin’s output, it was perfect Saturday afternoon TV fodder when I was growing up."[15]
^"'Lady Godiva' Adds Two". The Hollywood Reporter. 9 September 1954. p. 3. ProQuest2338241451. Alma Lawton and Riza Royce have been signed by U-I for featured roles in 'Lady Godiva of Coventry.'
^"Briefs From the Lots". Variety. 29 September 1954. p. 20. ProQuest962658637. Alma Lawton and Riza Royce joined the 'Lady Godiva of Coventry' cast at U...'
^"Drama: Merian Cooper Paid Honor in Washington". Los Angeles Times. 25 February 1954. p. A12.
^Thomas M. Pryor (25 February 1954). "IT'S BEEN 14 YEARS AND FILMS CHANGE: So Pine-Thomas (We Want to Make a Million) Switch to Million-Dollar Movies". New York Times. p. 25.
^Hopper, Hedda (14 August 1954). "Looking at Hollywood: One Good Role Brings Another for Bob Stack". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 14.
^Parsons, Louella (10 July 1954). "Boss Plans to Keep Jeff Hopping". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. p. 6.
^Thomas M. Pryor (23 August 1954). "HESTON KEPT BUSY IN 4 SCREEN ROLES: Completing 2 for Paramount, He Is Set for Films With de Mille and Universal". New York Times. p. 21.
^Thomas M. Pryor (26 August 1954). "NADER TO REPLACE CHANDLER 2D TIME: Actor Will Be Co-Star With Maureen O'Hara in 'Lady Godiva' Film at U.-I". New York Times. p. 24.
