American Friends is a comic film, released in 1991, starring Michael Palin. It was written by Palin and Tristram Powell, and directed by Powell. Stephen Abbott (known as Steve Abbott; born 1956, Broken Hill, New South Wales) is an Australian comedian and author who is famous for his portrayal of oddball characters, particularly one known as The Sandman. ... Michael Palin (1999) Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born May 5, 1943 in Broomhill, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England) is an English comedian, actor and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. ... Michael Palin (1999) Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born May 5, 1943 in Broomhill, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England) is an English comedian, actor and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. ... Connie Booth as Polly from Fawlty Towers. ... Trini Alvarado (born on January 10, 1967 in New York, New York state) is an American actress best known for her role as Meg March in the 1994 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcotts novel, Little Women. External links Trini Alvarado at the Internet Movie Database Categories: | | ... Georges Delerue Georges Delerue (March 12, 1925 - 20 March 1992) was a renowned French film composer who worked on over 300 films. ... March 22 is the 81st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (82nd in Leap years). ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Michael Palin (1999) Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born May 5, 1943 in Broomhill, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England) is an English comedian, actor and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. ...

Plot

Palin plays Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford professor on holiday in the Alps in 1861. There he meets the American Caroline Hartley (Connie Booth) and her 18-year old ward Elinor (Trini Alvarado). Ashby is drawn to them both, particularly Elinor, but is rather surprised when they arrive in Oxford and rent a house. Women are not allowed in the College, nor are Fellows allowed to marry, which puts him in an embarrassing situation. Ashby's rival for the post of College President, Oliver Syme, takes full advantage of this to try and discredit Ashby. However the situation is finally resolved and Ashby and Elinor are finally married. The University of Oxford (often called Oxford University), located in the city of Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. ... In law, a ward is someone placed under the protection of a legal guardian. ... A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. ...

The plot was taken from a real-life incident involving Palin's great-grandfather, Edward Palin.

Cast

• Michael Palin - Rev. Francis Ashby
• Trini Alvarado - Elinor Hartley
• Connie Booth - Caroline Hartley
• Alfred Molina - Oliver Syme
• Bryan Pringle - Haskell
• Fred Pearson - Hapgood
• Susan Denaker - Mrs. Cantrell
• Jonathan Firth - Cable
• Ian Dunn - Gowers
• Robert Eddison - William Granger Rushden
• David Calder - Pollitt
• Simon Jones - Anderson
• Charles McKeown - Maynard
• Roger Lloyd-Pack - Dr. Butler
• John Nettleton - Rev. Groves
• Alun Armstrong - Dr. Victor Weeks
• Sheila Reid - Mrs. Weeks
• Edward Rawle-Hicks - John Weeks
• Markus Gehrig - Swiss Guide
• Jo Stone-Fewings - Undergraduate
• Jimmy Jewel - Ashby Senior
• Wensley Pithey - Cave
• Arthur Howard - Voe
• Charles Simon - Canon Harper