Professor Lawson — They Shall Have Music Character Profile

About Professor Lawson

The compassionate founder of a tuition-free music school for impoverished children. He recognizes Frankie's perfect pitch and provides him shelter and training. His school faces severe financial crisis due to unpaid bills and a deceased sponsor, driving the central conflict of the plot.

Character Facts

Played by

Walter Brennan

Appears in

They Shall Have Music (1939)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (4)

• Professor Lawson — Professional Mentor — Frankie (Gene Reynolds)

  A dedicated teacher who recognizes and cultivates Frankie's innate talent.

• Professor Lawson — Conflict Business Rival — Mr. Flower (Porter Hall)

  A tense creditor-debtor relationship driven by institutional survival.

• Professor Lawson — Alliance Potential Benefactor — Himself (Jascha Heifetz)

  A hopeful partnership where Heifetz's art could secure the school's future.

• Professor Lawson — Professional Student — Limey (Terry Kilburn)

  A student who benefits from the school's musical education.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of They Shall Have Music

More characters from They Shall Have Music

• Himself (Jascha Heifetz)
• Peter McCarthy (Joel McCrea)
• Ann Lawson (Andrea Leeds)
• Limey (Terry Kilburn)
• Frankie (Gene Reynolds)
• Willie (Tommy Kelly)
• Betty (Gale Sherwood)
• Fever (Chuck Stubbs)
• Mr. Flower (Porter Hall)
• Rocks Mulligan (Walter Tetley)
• Mrs. Miller (Marjorie Main)
• Miller (Arthur Hohl)