Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Mr. Chips was modeled on W.H. Balgarnie, James Hilton's old classics master who taught for over 50 years at The Leys public school in Cambridge.

34-year-old Robert Donat ages 63 years (1870-1933) over the course of the film. He remarked: "As soon as I put the mustache on, I felt the part, even if I did look like a great Airedale come out of a puddle."

Greer Garson was initially offered a contract for MGM in 1937, but refused all the minor parts she was offered until she got the role of Kathy Ellis in this film.

The film was dedicated to the memory of Irving Thalberg.

The first film of Judith Furse.

The poster art depicts a youthful Robert Donat (as he appears in the early scenes of the film) with the young Greer Garson. However, the two never appear together like this in the film.

Chips is about fifty when he first meets Katherine, who is about half his age.

Cast of Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Robert Donat as Mr. Chips.
Greer Garson as Katherine.
Lyn Harding as Wetherby.
Paul Henreid as Max Staeffel.
Terry Kilburn as John Colley, Peter Colley I, II and III.

John Mills as Peter Colley as an adult.
Scott Sunderland as Sir John Colley.
David Croft as Perkins - Greengrocer's boy (uncredited).
David Tree as Jackson.