Seven Days Leave (1930)
A touching WWI drama from Paramount Pictures, adapted from J.M. Barrie's celebrated play and starring a young Gary Cooper.
Seven Days Leave - Movie Information
- Original Title: Seven Days Leave
- Release Year: 1930
- Directed by: Richard Wallace
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 24, 1930 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: Seven Days' Leave (US)
- Production Companies: Paramount Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Seven Days Leave - Plot
In London, during WWI, a lonely woman who wants to feel a part of the war effort pretends to her friends to have a son fighting in the war. She is shocked when he shows up on her doorstep, and they make an agreement that he will pretend to be her son. "Seven Days Leave" is a screen adaption of James M. Barrie's play, "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals."
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Seven Days Leave - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Richard Wallace
Main Cast
- Gary Cooper
- Beryl Mercer
- Daisy Belmore
- Nora Cecil
- Tempe Pigott
- Arthur Hoyt
- Arthur Metcalfe
- Basil Radford
- Larry Steers
Writers
- Dan Totheroh
- John Farrow
Producers
- Louis D. Lighton
- Richard Wallace
Seven Days Leave - FAQs
What is Seven Days Leave about?
Seven Days Leave follows a lonely London woman during WWI who has told her friends she has a son fighting at the front. When a real soldier turns up at her door, the two strike a quiet, touching agreement — he'll play the son she never had. It's a warm, bittersweet story about loneliness, belonging, and the small kindnesses that sustain people in wartime.
Is Seven Days Leave based on a true story or a play?
The film is adapted from J.M. Barrie's one-act play The Old Lady Shows Her Medals, first performed in 1917. Barrie — best known for creating Peter Pan — wrote the piece as a touching wartime tribute. The screenplay was adapted by Dan Totheroh and John Farrow for Paramount Pictures.
Where can you stream Seven Days Leave?
You can watch Seven Days Leave for free on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, and Fawesome — all ad-supported streaming platforms. No subscription is required for any of these options, making it easy to catch this early Gary Cooper gem without spending a penny.
What role does Gary Cooper play in Seven Days Leave?
Gary Cooper plays Kenneth Dowey, a young soldier on a week's leave in London who agrees to pose as the son of Sarah Ann Dowey, played by Beryl Mercer. The role showcases Cooper's natural warmth and understated charm in one of his early sound-era performances.
Who are the main actors in Seven Days Leave?
The film stars Gary Cooper and Beryl Mercer in the lead roles, with supporting performances from Daisy Belmore, Nora Cecil, Tempe Pigott, Arthur Hoyt, Arthur Metcalfe, Basil Radford, and Larry Steers. Mercer's portrayal of the quietly dignified Sarah Ann Dowey is widely considered the emotional heart of the film.
Is Seven Days Leave worth watching today?
For fans of early Hollywood and classic cinema, absolutely. Seven Days Leave is a gentle, emotionally resonant piece that showcases a young Gary Cooper at his most natural. Clocking in at just 80 minutes, it's an accessible and quietly moving portrait of wartime loneliness and unexpected human connection.
Was Seven Days Leave an early sound film?
Yes — Seven Days Leave was released in January 1930, right in the middle of Hollywood's transition from silent films to talkies. Its tagline, "An Unusual Different ALL TALKING Picture," reflects just how novel spoken dialogue still was for audiences at the time.
Who directed Seven Days Leave and who shot it?
Richard Wallace directed the film for Paramount Pictures, with cinematography by Charles Lang — who would go on to earn multiple Academy Award nominations throughout his distinguished career. The film was edited by George Nichols Jr. and produced by Louis D. Lighton and Richard Wallace.
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