The Great Garrick 1937
Directed by
James Whale
Made by
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Great Garrick Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Great Garrick (1937). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In London in 1750, David Garrick is a celebrated English actor whose latest performance closes with news of an invitation to Paris to appear with the prestigious Comédie-Française. A dapper spectator proclaims that the French want Garrick to teach them how to act, and the audience erupts in a spontaneous chant: Teach the French!
Teach the French!
The moment stirs the mood inside the theatre, and the playwright Beaumarchais—who happens to be present—attributes the boast to Garrick himself, a move that infuriates the Parisian troupe. Their president, Picard, leads a plan to bring Garrick down a notch, and the company seizes control of the inn where he will be staying on his route to Paris as part of a calculated ambush.
On the road, Garrick meets Jean Cabot, an elderly admirer who once shared the stage with him and now works as a prompter for the Comédie. Cabot has rushed from the city to warn his idol, but Garrick, confident and unyielding, refuses to be swayed by the warnings, even as his valet, Tubby, frets about their safety.
When Garrick and Tubby arrive at the inn, a “blacksmith” figure crashes the scene by smashing a sound carriage wheel to trap them inside. The inn becomes a carnival of chaos—tumbled luggage, a wildly staged lovers’ quarrel, bursts of gunfire, and a hyperactive waiter—yet Garrick meets every oddity with calm, treating it as a test rather than a threat.
Into this mix steps Germaine, a striking young beauty whose coach has broken down while she flees a father determined to marry her off. Believing she is one of the actresses, Garrick offers her his room, and what begins as a courteous gesture quickly deepens into a genuine, if cautious, attraction as the night unfolds.
As the party winds through the bizarre festivities, Garrick overhears the drunken “blacksmith” relaying lines from his script. He cleverly diverts the situation by disguising himself in the intruder’s role, and the misfit troupe, convinced Garrick has killed Garrick, growpanicked. Garrick then steps out from the ruse, mocks the troupe’s performance, and clarifies that he never proclaimed he would abandon the stage for Paris to teach them how to act.
The evening’s tensions flare into a clash with Germaine, who laments her lack of experience to convincingly fool a master of the stage. Garrick’s scolding gives way to a candid confrontation, where he is reminded (and perhaps reminded himself) that performance and truth can mingle, rather than clash. Downstairs, Picard offers his apologies on behalf of the company and extends an invitation for Garrick to join them in Paris, a proposal he accepts with grace.
Backstage at the premiere of Don Juan, Garrick searches for Germaine, only to learn from Picard that she was merely a random traveler. The moment leaves him momentarily distraught, but a sign held up by the prompter confirms that all is well, easing his doubts as the audience holds its breath.
Inspired once more, Garrick speaks with a renewed passion that elevates his admiration for La Belle France. Germaine answers with a flower, and the crowd responds with a cascade of blossoms that rains down from the theatre, sealing a profound moment of connection between performer and audience—and between two people who found something real in a night of deception, danger, and chance.
The Great Garrick Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Great Garrick (1937) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Garrick's invitation to Paris announced
In London, 1750, renowned actor David Garrick ends a performance by revealing he has been invited to Paris to perform with the Comédie-Française. The audience roars as a fop declares the French want Garrick to teach them how to act, and the crowd chants 'Teach the French!' Beaumarchais is present and attributes the remark to Garrick, provoking a charged reaction that ripples through the audience.
Beaumarchais' outrage and ambush plot begins
Beaumarchais, outraged by the remark, devises a plot to cut Garrick down to size. The Parisian troupe, led by Picard, hatches a plan to ambush him and humiliate him as part of an elaborate ruse. They move to seize an inn where Garrick will stay en route to Paris to lay the trap.
Garrick warned on the road by Cabot
Garrick meets Jean Cabot, an elderly admirer who once acted with him and now works as a prompter for the Comédie. Cabot rides non-stop to warn Garrick about the plot against him. Garrick refuses to listen, insisting they will continue as planned despite Tubby's safety misgivings.
Inn arrival and chaotic ambush begins
At the inn, the 'blacksmith' sabotages a sound carriage wheel to trap Garrick. The night erupts in tumbling luggage, violent swordplay, gunshots in a lovers' quarrel, and a mad waiter, all aimed at unsettling him. Garrick remains unfazed, treating the disruption as part of the evening's theater.
Germaine arrives; Garrick offers her a room
Virginial young beauty Germaine, Lady de la Corbe, arrives with a broken-down coach while fleeing an arranged marriage. The inn crowd assumes she is an actress, so Garrick offers her his room and they begin a flirtatious, romantic courtship. He pursues her even as the danger around them intensifies.
Garrick defeats the saboteur and disguises himself
Garrick overhears the drunken 'blacksmith' reciting the script. He tosses the miscreant into a pond and disguises himself in the saboteur's clothes. When the troupe discovers the death-like display, they are aghast and ready to flee.
Garrick reveals his true self and reconsiders Paris
Catching the company off guard, Garrick reveals himself, derides their rough performance, and clarifies that he never planned to go to Paris to teach them how to act. He pivots to praising the troupe and expresses admiration for their craft. The near-miss becomes a moment of mutual respect.
Garrick confronts Germaine about love and acting
Garrick lashes out at Germaine for her acting and for their risky night. She laments her lack of experience to fool him, and he chastises her to quit the stage. The confrontation tests their bond but deepens his resolve to understand her true feelings.
Picard apologizes and Garrick agrees to Paris
Picard apologizes on behalf of the company and begs Garrick to join them in Paris. Garrick graciously accepts the invitation, signaling a détente and a shared artistic purpose. The plan to work together in Paris becomes a live possibility.
Don Juan premiere; Garrick searches for Germaine
At his Don Juan premiere, Garrick searches backstage for Germaine and learns from Picard that she was only a random traveler. He realizes she spoke truthfully about her love for him and that he loves her too, leaving him too distraught to perform. He steps out before the audience to express his regrets, while Cabot holds up a sign to reassure him.
Love and fame converge; blossoms rain on France
Inspired, Garrick proclaims his love for Germaine and praises La Belle France with exuberant praise. A flower is tossed to him, triggering a rain of blossoms from the audience. The moment seals their bond and crowns the evening with a romantic finale.
The Great Garrick Characters
Explore all characters from The Great Garrick (1937). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
David Garrick (Brian Aherne)
Renowned English actor who travels toward Paris to perform with the Comédie-Française. He is quick-witted, charming, and confident in his craft, yet his pride nearly blinds him to warning signs. Across the night, he confronts his ego, discovers genuine affection, and reaffirms the value of authentic performance.
Germaine de la Corbe (Olivia de Havilland)
A virginal young woman fleeing an arranged marriage, who encounters Garrick at the inn. She projects charm and courage, blending vulnerability with boldness. Her evolving feelings for Garrick challenge both their assumptions about love and performance.
Tubby (Edward Everett Horton)
Garrick’s loyal valet and companion, cautious and protective. He voices concerns for safety and propriety, often acting as a moral counterpoint to Garrick’s bravado. His steadiness helps anchor the shifting dynamics of the night.
M. W. Picard
Leader of the Paris troupe and instigator of the plot to undermine Garrick as a showcase of superiority. He embodies theatrical ambition and the maneuverings of a counterbalance to English influence. His leadership drives the initial antagonism that the night seeks to resolve.
Jean Cabot
An elderly prompter for the Comédie who once acted with Garrick and travels to warn him. He embodies loyalty and wisdom, urging Garrick to heed early warnings. His perspective bridges past collaborations with present tensions.
M. Beaumarchais
The sharp-witted French figure who participates in the playfully hostile plot against Garrick. He represents the clever, reform-minded energy of the French stage. His involvement foreshadows the dialogic clash and eventual mutual respect between theatres.
Innkeeper of Adam and Eve
A comic host whose inn becomes the pressure cooker for escalating antics, including the plan to impede Garrick’s escape. He embodies the chaotic charm of a bustling mid-18th-century roadside stop. His role amplifies the farcical elements of the night.
M. Noverre
A prominent figure associated with the Paris theatre, adding depth to the cross-cultural landscape. He contributes to the ensemble’s dynamic and the evolving conversation about acting styles. His presence grounds the narrative in a broader teatrical milieu.
Mlle. Molee
A member of the French company who appears in the inn’s surrounding theatrics, representing the broader ensemble beyond Garrick and Germaine. She adds a layer of theatrical atmosphere to the night’s events.
The Great Garrick Settings
Learn where and when The Great Garrick (1937) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
1750
Set in the mid-18th century, the film portrays a vibrant era of theatre and celebrity. London is shown as a hub of acting talent and public appetite for spectacle, while Paris represents a pinnacle of French theatrical prestige. The period emphasizes cross-channel cultural exchange, theatrical bravado, and the fragility of actor reputations.
Location
London, Paris
The story unfolds primarily in London in 1750, capturing a bustling English theatre scene. It then moves toward Paris, where the prestigious Comédie-Française dominates French stage culture. An inn along the road serves as a pivotal crossroads between English and French performances. The settings together illustrate a world where theatre, travel, and national pride collide.
The Great Garrick Themes
Discover the main themes in The Great Garrick (1937). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
🎭
Theatre and Authenticity
The narrative centers on acting as craft versus performance as persona. Garrick’s pride and impulsive gestures reveal the tension between public illusion and private truth. The inn scenes highlight how genuine connection can outshine showman bravado, guiding character growth and reconciliation.
🌍
Cross-Cultural Rivalry
Parisian theatre politics roil as a rival troupe plots to diminish Garrick, exposing suspicion between English and French companies. The tension evolves into mutual recognition as Garrick later praises La Belle France, signaling a nuanced exchange rather than simple rivalry. The story uses cross-cultural dynamics to explore respect forged through competition.
❤️
Love and Misunderstanding
Garrick and Germaine’s romance unfolds amid misread intentions and theatrical deception. The lover’s bond is tested by Garrick’s disguises and the surrounding scheming, but honesty ultimately prevails. The culmination hinges on a clarified love that transcends performance and national pride.
The Great Garrick Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Great Garrick (1937). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the bustling theatres of 1750 London, a city where applause can launch a legend, the charismatic star David Garrick basks in the glow of his latest triumph. His performances have earned him an invitation that could carry his fame across the Channel—to the storied stages of Paris and the esteemed Comédie‑Française. The very notion of a British master sharing his craft ignites a fevered excitement among the crowd, setting the tone for a daring cultural exchange that feels both triumphant and precarious.
Across the Channel, the French theatrical elite watch the proclamation with a mixture of admiration and unease. The playwright Beaumarchais, ever the keen observer, attributes the boast to Garrick himself, a move that rattles the pride of the Parisian troupe. At the head of that troupe stands Picard, whose reputation for protecting French artistry hints at a response that could turn a friendly challenge into something far more intricate. The stage is set for a clash of styles, where a single ill‑timed remark may blossom into a larger, unforeseen spectacle.
Among the swirling rumors, Garrick is not alone. He is accompanied by his loyal valet Tubby, whose quiet concern provides a steady counterpoint to the actor’s flamboyance, and by the venerable former colleague Jean Cabot, an elderly admirer whose presence reminds Garrick of his own theatrical lineage. Adding an unexpected spark to the mix is Germaine, a striking young traveler whose sudden appearance hints at a personal intrigue that may grow as quickly as the surrounding drama. Their interactions promise a blend of mentorship, camaraderie, and a hint of romance that mirrors the performative world they inhabit.
The film moves with a lively, period‑rich tone that celebrates the intoxicating world of 18th‑century theatre—its grandeur, its rivalries, and its capacity for love to surface amidst chaos. As Garrick steps toward his Parisian debut, the audience is invited to wonder how a celebrated actor will navigate the delicate balance between ego, artistry, and the unpredictable currents of both professional pride and emerging affection.
Movies with Similar Twists and Themes
Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
Movie Collections and Curated Lists
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.