Set almost entirely within the royal castle, it begins just before the death of his second wife (Anne Boleyn) and ends just after his sixth wedding (to Catherine or Katherine Parr). When Henry suggests that they're not yet married because the relationship hasn't been consummated, Anne replies, "Poor mother told me. Henry is a boisterous king who, no matter how bad his many marriage experiences, cannot seem to avoid getting married again; as he himself says, 'the things I do for England'!When I taped this film I had never heard of it but before watching it was told that it was a great moneymaker of the time in the US. Full review. … but you never know when I may get the notion to post, so the only way not to miss anything is to subscribe. Use the HTML below. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He manages to deliver his funny lines with great timing and awareness but also delivers a real character who we can feel for – he conveys real hurt and loneliness with just looks at times, and his tearful breakdown is actually quite moving. Was this review helpful to you? It was followed with Devil and the Deep in which he played a manic submarine commander and also a role in The Sign of the Cross. Jacqueline T. Lynch, author of Ann Blyth: Actress. Biography - A Short Wiki. Elsa Lanchester (the “Bride” of Frankenstein, “Katie Nanna” in Mary Poppins) steals the show as Henry’s clever, hilarious, blonde, German fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. This movie tells the story of King Henry VIII and the last five of his six wives. Born into a wealthy family of hotel owners in Yorkshire, England, he was raised a strict Catholic, leading to his tormented and guilty adult struggles with his homosexuality. This documentary traces man's attempts to fly from ancient times through the 1930s. Superb! Thus by the time of Henry's first meeting of Anne in the flesh she has decided to make herself as repulsive as possible, stumbling into his presence with makeup heavily applied to a face she contorts for his benefit. During his reign, Henry the Eighth had six wives. nameless religious figures. They both received Academy Award nominatio… No sooner does Oberon utter, "What a lovely day," as she peers from the gallows than does Korda cut to Wendy Barrie's Jane Seymour saying the same as she awaits the drums which signify Anne's head has fallen freeing the King for marriage. He's shown ordering the cancellation of executions in one scene and in another practically kills himself when taking on a court wrestler after Katherine dares to suggest his days as the strongest man in the world are behind him. March 9, 2010 By Cliff Aliperti 6 Comments, This is the kind of movie I wish they showed in my high school history classes, but unfortunately Alexander Korda's The Private Life of Henry VIII doesn't actually make for the best history lesson. Written by Download Charles Brandon Henry VIIIs Closest Friend Free Books. 97 minutes. The king (Charles Laughton) enjoying falconry when word arrives that his son is born, director Alexander Korda featuring brother Vincent’s efficient sets, as Cramner (Larence Hanray) relays bad news, and the royal nurse (Lady Tree) supervises, in The Private Life Of Henry VIII, 1934. United Artists Corporation/The Museum of Art Film Stills Archive, New York City Charles Laughton in Ruggles of Red Gap, a radio adaptation of the motion picture for the series Academy Award Theater; air date June 8, … Alexander Korda's British super-production also put the British cinema on the map, which, until this film, received precious little respect in the international film community. Over the years, they appeared together in several films, including Rembrandt (1936), Tales of Manhattan (1942) and The Big Clock (1948). From his first moment on screen, hands astride hips with his booming voice interrupting the gossiping ladies of his court, there is no doubt about who's in charge. Laughton takes the man, wraps himself into his robes and around his legend, and makes history subservient to performance; his Henry VIII is the Henry VIII I want to remember. Charles Laughton gulps beer and chomps on mutton, in his first of many iconic screen roles, as King Henry VIII, the ultimate anti-husband. Among his biggest hit films were The Huntchback of Notre Dame and Mutiny on the Bounty. The Private Life of Henry VIII was the first British film to become a hit in the United States, and in addition to Laughton’s Best Actor Oscar®, the film was nominated for Best Picture. Full review. But when Katherine tires of Henry and airs her regrets to Culpeper he as good as earns his eventual fate by returning her affections. My thanks in advance if you'd consider helping out through one of the following methods: Preferred: Shop the Immortal Ephemera Store and get yourself some vintage movie items for your trouble! Modern takes on the Henry VIII story, from The Tudors to The Other Boleyn Girlto Wolf Hall, tend to focus on Henry divorcing his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, to marry hot temptress Anne Boleyn. Charles Laughton gulps beer and chomps on mutton, in his first of many iconic screen roles, as King Henry VIII, the ultimate anti-husband. I went into it with only mild curiosity about Twelvetrees and now I find my self pining for copies of unavailable, but intriguing films." Browse more videos. The young woman who volunteers is Katherine Howard, recipient of the earlier nostril flare, and at this time the ambitious lover of Henry's courtier, Thomas Culpeper (Robert Donat). Charles Laughton (1 July 1899 — 15 December 1962) was an English actor who appeared on stage and in Hollywood films during the golden era.He was also known for being married to fellow actress Elsa Lanchester (best known as the Bride of Frankenstein) from 1929 until his death, although he was bisexual, and Elsa was accustomed to his affairs with men. As Henry readies himself for Anne's bedroom he remarks, "You can take a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink." His pompous amble demands attention as does his explosive laughter and equally combustible temper. In an era in which glamor was everything, studio marketers may have struggled … Full review. available in paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon.com. The first Freddie Bartholomew biography in over 75 years! Thank you so much for reviewing it. Her fate is sealed early when she tells Culpeper that "Love is not all the world," to which he replies, "It is. ), but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was a lot of fun! Directed by Alexander Korda. The 39 Steps' Robert Donat gives good support in a straighter and less showy role and the various member of Henry's court are reliable. While the fate of Europe hinges on the successful union of Henry and Anne, Anne has fallen for the man who's come to retrieve her to England, Peynell (John Loder). Besides the boost for both Korda and Laughton's careers, the future Mrs. Korda, Merle Oberon, would also win praise and gain notice for her few minutes on screen as Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn, who's awaiting execution in the film's opening scene. Laughton made his New York stage debut in "Payment Deferred" (1931) and soon after won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "The Private Life of Henry VIII" (1933). View Links to Other Classic Movie & Collectible Sites, Freddie Bartholomew Complete Biography of the 1930’s MGM Child Star, Ten Cents a Dance (1931) Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Current Immortal Ephemera eBay Sales Listings. That movie was on TCM earlier this morning I DVR it yeah they play with the history like they do in Hollyweird but still enjoyable movie I still find Elsa Lanchester version of Anne of Cleves pretty funny. Photo Private Life of Henry VIII in my eBay Store Passed biography ’ m creating mini-biographies on of. 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