Penn of Pennsylvania

Playing William Penn, Clifford Evans conquers Deborah Kerr, the English jury, King Charles II and Pennsylvania in this well-meaning but ultimately "Highlights of History" biopic of the Quaker founder of the state of Pennsylvania.

There's little to suggest that this admiring movie had less than absolute sincerity in the hearts of anyone associated with it... although Dennis Arundell as Charles II seems to be intended to let the United States know that Britain likes them, and they should like Britain, so send more armaments; peace-loving William Penn would like to return the favor. Perhaps the problem can be attributed to the script by Anatole de Grunewald, whose script looks like he used an illustrated edition of C.E. Vulliamy's WILLIAM PENN and wrote scenes about the pictures. the result in the hands of the canny film makers is always watchable, but unsatisfying to anyone who wishes to know more of Penn than "He did great things, and here they are."