poetman
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I'm very much enjoying this conversation. Thank you all for your helpful contributions. Please keep them coming. Thanks!
I always got a sense of false sentimentality from that character. If we are looking at teachers. I would say Michael Redgrave as Andrew Crocker-Harris in The Browning Version might be a good recommendation.
I've seen "The Browning Version". It's one great film BUT it's a product of its time. Though in many way the complete "negative image" of "Goodby Mr. Chips" it does, in the end, express the same sentiment. The great joy that can arise from educating the young, molding men... even if it's ONLY ONE child that "gets it". I love both films though TBV is MUCH harder to take.
Worf
Interesting question: Too often, the perception of the British gentleman will be too narrow, too confined to upper class stereotypes. Of course, this stems from the narrow definition of a gentleman being someone of independent financial means, thus someone who doesn't need to work.
For me, using a broader definition of manners and bearing would suggest the following
David Niven in 'The Way Ahead': A former garage mechanic, who becomes an infantry officer in WW2 and leads his men through training and into battle. All the time he remains true to his men, pushing them when they need pushing and offering assistance when they need it.
Similarly, I would offer Jack Hawkins in 'The Cruel Sea'. A Royal Navy officer with concern for the men under his command, who struggles with the burden of command. A not disimilar role to the one played by Hawkins in 'The Man in the Sky')
These are the sorts of values that i would think define a real gentleman, not the cartoonish stereotypes beloved of so many.