BERNARD Adams states (TES, December 20) that “astonishingly” Robert Donat was awarded an Oscar for his performance as the beloved schoolmaster in the 1939 film version of Goodbye Mr Chips. In fact Donat’s sensitive portrayal was highly praised by some of the leading actors of the day, including Laurence Olivier, and was greatly admired by the author, James Hilton, himself.
Hilton cabled Donat saying: “I feel I must write to congratulate you on a really wonderful performance”.
John Hammond
James Hilton Soceity 49 Beckingthorpe Drive Bottesford Nottingham
