Movie: A Yank at Eton

 A Yank at Eton, starring Mickey Rooney possibly has a worse plot than even The Guinea Pig (see here). The one-time teenage heartthrob plays a cocky youth unwillingly moved from an American school to Britain, where he is sent to attend the elite Eton College, possibly the most famous of the English ‘public’ schools.

The film was made in 1942 during the Second World War as a propaganda movie for American troops in England. It caricatures Etonian manners and behaviour as snobbish and stuffy, but in due course Rooney’s character settles down, stops being rebellious and comes to realize that, beneath the different habits and views, ‘Yanks’ and ‘Limeys’ have basic values in common and can get along when they have to.

For reasons that need not detain us, the Rooney character decides to put glue in a birthday cake and when party-goers eat it their jaws gum up. For this Rooney is soundly beaten. Judging by the photograph from the Warner Archive Rooney, who was 22 years old when the film was released, enjoys this immensely.

The film appears to be out of copyright and can be downloaded free-of-charge here.

Back in the real world another ‘Yank’ endured six-of-the-best at his English ‘public’ school. He was eighteen-year-old Peter Duryea, son of then-famous American actor Dan Duryea.

The Daily Mail in March 1958 reported he walked nervously into the headmaster's study at Oakham School, Rutland.

‘Bend over, boy,’ said the head, Mr. John Buchanan, selecting a cane.

Peter bent, hands on shins. Whereupon Mr. Buchanan planted six of the best on the spot Peter’s trousers were tightest.

Yesterday the boy’s housemaster, Mr. K. R. Bowes, told me: ‘He took it well; although I understand that Mr. Buchanan – like most headmasters – has a strong right arm and a wristy follow-through.’ [Bowes seems to be enjoying telling the tale way too much - LOL.]

The Mail continues: ‘Sixth-former Peter – he is at the public school (fees £233 year) on a scholarship from America – got his caning for slipping out of the dormitory with four other boys and going to a dance at Oakham. He returned at 1.30 a.m.

‘But it is all forgiven and forgotten now,’ said Mr. Buchanan. ‘He has behaved in an exemplary manner over the entire unfortunate affair.’

He chuckled and added: ‘I suppose I shouldn't be quoted as saying this but he’s an extremely good fellow.’

Said Mr. Bowes: ‘It was nothing more than a prank. He’s a first-class chap – owned up at once.’

The Reuters News Agency reported Peter was ‘whipped’ at his own request. The problem was that he was on an exchange scholarship.

‘Are you prepared to accept the same punishment as the others?’ he was asked by the headmaster.

‘Yes, sir,’ Peter replied, ‘I'll take whatever they had.’

The cane stung.

‘It was meant to,’ Peter said. ‘But I’m obeying the rules now.’

 

Picture credit: Warner Archive. Movie credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

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