Henry Edwards Movies
Tall, patrician-featured British stage actor Henry Edwards made his first film in 1914. Under the guidance of producer/director Cecil Hepworth, Edwards became one of England's most popular leading men. His most frequent leading lady was Chrissie White, whom he married in 1922. Celebrated as Britain's answer to Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, Edwards and White co-starred in 22 films, playing everything from aristocrats to the "working poor" with consummate artistry; unfortunately, only two of their features survive. During his stay with Hepworth, Edwards was given the opportunity to direct. Though he continued starring in such well-received films as The Flag Lieutenant (1926), after 1925 Edwards was best known for his directorial efforts; the best of these included the Boris Karloff melodrama Juggernaut (1935) and the Sir Seymour Hicks version of Scrooge (1935). Henry Edwards returned to acting in 1946, essaying small character roles in films like Green for Danger (1946), Oliver Twist (1948) and the all-star The Magic Box (1952). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1916
"Doorsteps" is the nickname bestowed upon boarding house slavey Florence Turner. Treated like dirt by most of the boarders, Florence gets even by becoming a famous actress, thanks to the help of playwright Henry Edwards (who also directed the film). She returns the favor by saving Edwards' life in the final reel. Doorsteps was one of several British films made by American actress Florence Turner in the mid-teens. Sadly, the career of this singularly talented actress would dwindle down to bits and extra roles in the 1930s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1915
This first film version of Allen Raine's semi-satirical novel The Welsh Singer was filmed in England with an Anglo-American cast and crew. Hollywood's Florence Turner stars as Mifanwy, a Welsh shepherdess with a powerful singing voice. Mifanwy's sweetheart is shepherd Leuan (played by Henry Edwards, who also directed), who in his spare time dabbles in sculpting. Eventually, both Mifanwy and Leuan achieve fame and fortune, but several roadblocks stand in their way before they can achieve marital happiness. In addition to co-starring and directing the picture, Henry Edwards co-wrote the script with Florence Turner's business partner, director Larry Trimble. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1915
Famous for his rendition of the sentimental ballad My Old Dutch, British music-hall artiste Albert Chevalier was both star and co-writer of this filmed version. The story concerns a pair of cockney street entertainers who scrimp, save and sacrifice to insure that their son will have a decent future. It takes a long, long time, but the son finally repays his parents' kindness by rescuing them from bankruptcy and eviction. American actress Florence Turner plays the heroine, while Turner's longtime collaborator Larry Trimble directed. My Old Dutch was remade and updated in 1935 as a vehicle for Betty Balfour. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1915
American film star Florence Turner is Alone in London in this 4-reel British mystery. Turner goes against the grain of her established screen image by playing a meaty character role as a woman inexorably involved in crime. Henry Edwards co-stars as one of the "good guys," while Edward Lingard represents the "bad" contingent. Ms. Turner, the onetime "Vitagraph Girl," was herself the producer of Alone in London; it was the last in a successful series of British productions financed by Ms. Turner in conjunction with England's pioneer filmmaker Cecil M. Hepworth. The director was Larry Trimble, Turner's lifelong friend. Alone in London was based on a play by Harriet Jay and Robert Buchanan, which presumably ran longer than the film's allotted 48 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1915
Unfortunately now lost, 1915's Far From the Madding Crowd was the first cinemadaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel. Florence Turner, a Hollywood star who spent most of the pre-World War I years in England, is cast as Hardy's heroine Bathsheba Everdene (the part played by Julie Christie in the 1966 version). Turner's husband Larry Trimble served as director. In simplest terms, the plot concerns a farm girl who marries an army sergeant then almost immediately regrets it. Another of the girl's suitors kills the husband, leaving the heroine free to marry the man she really loves. It is difficult to believe that Thomas Hardy's heady prose was properly represented within the 60-minute running time of Far From the Madding Crowd. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
