I hardly know where to start - so perhaps with the name of the town GLANSARNO. Since it is supposed to be set in the remote countryside of Wales, perhaps PONTSARNO or LLANSARNO or even TRESARNO would make it more believable. The FAQ asks what is the meaning of the name and DOESN'T EVEN ANSWER IT!! Most mining towns were NOT remote, and in 1895 were connected by railways. Oh dear, and what choices for the songs the miners sang travelling from work - hard songs even for the many excellent Welsh choirs and then near the end what an insult to have the pupils since one of the most well-known and famous Welsh songs 'Ar Hyd Y Nos' (All Through the Night') in ENGLISH!!! Most English speakers have trouble with Welsh and so to have a crafty illiterate Bessie Watty sing a beautiful song in perfect Welsh to the apple of her lusty eyes is also so unbelievable. Can't believe that to advertise the school to a town of illiterate and predominately Welsh-speaking townsfolk, Miss Moffat decides to use posters!!! That would not work and again - the poster of course is in English. Add to that, the English were distrusted and she would have needed to work hard very hard to gain acceptance. I can't believe there was anyone connected with the film who knew ANYTHING of Welsh country life and although many small independent 'schools' existed, every mining town had a State School by 1895 - they were not 'remote'. The stand-out character was John Dall and the only other believable characters were Rhys Williams (Mr Jones), Mildred Dunnock (Miss Ronberry) and Rosalind Ivan (Mrs Watty). Bette Davis depicted a strong character but one without empathy, love and conviction so necessary for her role as an educator. The imperious, isolated and punishing character she portrayed would not have gone well with the villagers or the potential students. A mine-owner (50% share) squire would have been feared rather than loved and although I like the bumbling Nigel Bruce I thought him poorly cast. When one sees a 'true' mining town so excellently depicted in 'How Green Was My Valley' it is truly the apogee when compared this film - the nadir in so many respects.

It's 1895 in the small remote Welsh village of Glansarno. Schoolteacher Lilly Moffat (Bette Davis) is left a building by her uncle. Everybody expected a man and is surprised especially her degree in Master of Arts. She is dismayed by the illiterate children working in the coal mines and she sets up a school for them. Safe Mr. Jones and spinster Miss Ronberry are enlisted to help. Her housekeeper Mrs. Watty tries to be helpful but her daughter Bessie (Joan Lorring) is quite a gossiping schemer. The Squire who owns most of the town including a half-share of the mine opposes Moffat's school. She takes an interest in promising student Morgan Evans (John Dall) who she hopes to go to Oxford University.This is a simple traditional proper principled woman coming to rescue poor disadvantaged kids. The 'kids' could look a bit younger. John Dall is pass his mid-20s. Although both him and Joan Lorring did get Oscar nominations for their performance. This is workable formulaic film.

English spinster teacher Bette Davis (as Lilly Moffat) arrives to open a school in a Welsh coal-mining village; she meets opposition from backwards-thinking locals like Nigel Bruce (as Squire), but perseveres. Ms. Davis' efforts are rewarded as pupil John Dall (as Morgan Evans) shows great academic promise. Davis thinks Mr. Dall has what it takes to attend Oxford University. But, breaking Dall free of his socio-economic status proves to be especially difficult, after he has a child-producing dalliance with seductive Joan Lorring (as Bessie Watty). Emlyn Williams' play "The Corn Is Green" makes an oddly impassionate translation to film; however, its mannered performances are notable. Perhaps inadvertently, Davis and Dall help by giving the impression something forbidden is simmering beneath the surface of their scripted relationship. ******* The Corn Is Green (3/29/45) Irving Rapper ~ Bette Davis, John Dall, Joan Lorring, Nigel Bruce

What a pleasure to find an old friend - much remembered, some forgotten. This is a STORY, one that could really happen in real life; all of the characters are flawed, as most people are.Director Irving Rapper kept tight reign on his cast, but allowed each actor/actress to perform to their highest potential. Frank Cavett's script did not contain surprises that wouldn't happen in daily life. One can just as easily get caught-up in mundanely slow-action movies as one does in high-action ones - you have the chance to listen/watch the movie, but compare it with things that really occur."Miss Moffat" (Bette Davis) sets the high-moral figure - and played her role with consummate skill - as the teacher-to-all ages in the school she sets-up in her home.....perhaps a precursor to adult-education ? Of course, all of the characters were imbued with a gentler demeanor than is our standard today....how nice to see people not out for "me". Nigel Bruce ("The Squire") gave the impression he, too, might need some coaching, and is charming in his simple-but-reachable role. "Morgan" (John Dall) played the role of miner-scholar with stellar aplomb - he was a good match for "Miss Moffat" in his role. "Bessie" made it clear she was out "to get" "Morgan" - an easy job.I'm not sure if the ending of this film was the one I saw. My clearest remembrance of "The Corn is Green" is the final scene, as "Morgan" goes-off to Oxford, as "Miss Moffat" stands in the window looking out (for at least three minutes) - every emotional registering on her face. That Davis woman......"The Corn is Green" is a movie for all ages with fabulous viewing. BECAUSE it could happen, although simple, is what makes it so great. I would rate it as 50, if I could. The copy TCM presented was brilliant, not faded and scratchy as some have stated here. Perhaps the long-waited DVD? It belongs in everyone's collection - I hope it will soon be in mine.