Aug 27th
The Private Life of Henry VIII***    
(GB 1933)                                           
United Artists/London Films. 97m. bw

In the 16th century King Henry works his way through four further wives after divorcing Katherine of Aragon and executing Anne Boleyn.
A notable event in British cinema, for the best and worst of reasons: a fine semi-comedic vehicle for Laughton allowing him moments of deep pathos, even though its structure is uneven and important characters disappear from the narrative - but lavishly presented, becoming the first major British film to American audiences, in the same royal soap opera heritage style that we have endured since.

Written by: Lajos Biro, Arthur Wimperis.
Producer/Director: Alexander Korda.
Starring: Charles Laughton, Merle Oberon (Anne Boleyn), Wendy Barrie (Jane Seymour), Binnie Barnes (Catherine Howard), Robert Donat (Thomas Culpepper), Elsa Lanchester (Anne of Cleves), Franklin Dyall (Thomas Cromwell), Everley Gregg (Catherine Parr), Claud Allister, Lady Tree, Hay Petrie.
Photography: Georges Perinal.
Music: Kurt Schroeder.
Production Design: Vincent Korda.

+ HENRY (Laughton): "Am I a king or a breeding bull?"
"Six wives! And the best of 'em's the worst!"