Nell Gwyn (1934)

King Charles II first meets Nell Gwyn after seeing her do a turn at Drury Lane. They soon become close, the King preferring her feisty irreverent company to that of the aristocratic French ... See full summary »

Director:

Herbert Wilcox

Writer:

Miles Malleson

Stars:

Anna Neagle, Cedric Hardwicke, Jeanne De Casalis

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anna Neagle	...	Nell Gwyn
Cedric Hardwicke	...	Charles II
Jeanne De Casalis	...	Duchess of Portsmouth
Muriel George	...	Meg
Helena Pickard	...	Mrs. Pepys
Dorothy Robinson	...	Mrs. Knipp
Esme Percy	...	Samuel Pepys
Miles Malleson	...	Chiffinch
Moore Marriott	...	Robin
Craighall Sherry	...	Ben
Lawrence Anderson	...	Duke Of York

Storyline

King Charles II first meets Nell Gwyn after seeing her do a turn at Drury Lane. They soon become close, the King preferring her feisty irreverent company to that of the aristocratic French Duchess of Portsmouth. Nell becomes his most loyal subject, while ever-ready to take the Duchess down a peg. But the actress can never hope to be fully accepted by the King's circle despite his constant attentions.

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Plot Keywords:

king charles ii | nell gwynne | remake

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Genres:

History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1934 (UK)

Also Known As:

Hertiginnan från gatan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Herbert Wilcox Productions, British & Dominions Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Edward German music used in the film is known as "The Nell Gwyn Suite", an early 20th-century "light classical" favourite.

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Connections

Featured in Shepperton Babylon (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Country Dance"
from "Nell Gwyn Suite"
Music by Edward German

User Reviews

Carry On Charles and Nell

Now, this is an Anna Neagle completely unlike her later, Great British typecast roles - and all the better for it! This saucy, bawdy comedy is just the ticket - although brief by modern standards, it's so full of life it certainly doesn't feel short.

Cedric Hardwicke and Anna Neagle play off one another to the hilt as the merry monarch and bouncy, irreverent Nell, and the verbal pyrotechnics of the script kept up a ripple of laughter among the audience. Broader visual comedy includes a multitude of impromptu meaningful looks, a cheeky dog and the sleeping Nell's voluptuous little wiggle.

Jeanne de Casalis was somewhat irritating as Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth, sporting a heavily over-the-top French accent and mannerisms; however, the character was supposed to be irritating, so this was not an insurmountable problem!

A film for fans of Ealing comedy and screwball romance, this was a thoroughly enjoyable romp, based a little too accurately on historical fact for the American censors, that took an unexpected serious twist towards the end. I found myself left wondering what did happen afterwards to Nell Gwyn...