Herbert Wilcox Movies
One of England's top producer-directors from the '20s until World War II, Herbert Wilcox was born in Ireland and worked as a journalist before serving as a flyer with the British during World War I. He entered the movie business as a distributor in 1919, and three years later began producing movies. Wilcox was one of the few producers in England during the '20s with a Hollywood-style flair for showmanship, and occasionally imported American stars such as Dorothy Gish for his films. He made his greatest single contribution to films in 1926 by founding Elstree Studios, which remained a major production facility right into the '80s. As a producer, he had no peer during the '20s, and was rivalled in the '30s only by Sir Alexander Korda. Korda quickly succeeded in international production on a scale that Wilcox found hard to top, but in England, Wilcox remained a major figure, especially in connection with the movies he directed and produced for actress Anna Neagle, his future wife. Sixty Glorious Years (1939) was a groundbreaking film, as a dramatization of the life of a British monarch. He went to Hollywood in the wake of the latter movie, but was not able to repeat its success, and returned to England, where he was never able to repeat his pre-war success, although he did co-produce one superb film, The Beggar's Opera (1954), starring Laurence Olivier and directed by Peter Brook. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 1931
In this British comedy, a normally devoted wife begins entertaining thoughts about an affair. Her husband then goes on a Paris business trip, and she decides to go for it with her new male friend in a certain little cottage. Unfortunately, they are followed by her husband's pals. This leads to the aspiring lovers' eviction from the cabin by its owner. Meanwhile, in Paris, the husband is also tempted by the arrival of an old friend. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Carew, Winifred Shotter, (more)
- 1931
No relation to American author Sidney Howard, bulbous Briton Sydney Howard was the star comedian in several cheaply made film farces of the 1930s. In Almost a Divorce, Howard over-imbibes at the wedding of his best friend Nelson Keys. Howard's besotted antics (and incessant repetition of his stage catch phrase "What's to do?") nearly ends Keys' marriage before it begins. The film was produced by Herbert Wilcox, but try getting him to admit it in later years. Almost a Divorce is worth a look for the presence of Eva Moore, the onetime mother-in-law of Laurence Olivier who was memorably cast as a retrogressive Victorianite in James Whale's The Old Dark House. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sydney Howard, Nelson Keys, (more)
- 1931
In this comedy, the inventor of a loom heads for London to see the Football Association Cup Final and ends up having a really bad day. First, thieves pinch his wallet, then his girl friend stands him up. Mayhem ensues, but in the end, he gets the girl back and a contract for his loom. He is also given a small fortune in cash. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1931
Ralph Lynn (who also co-directed) plays a twittish lawyer whose prior engagements prevent him from attending his sweetheart's birthday party. Thanks to a series of unavoidable (and hilariously unbelievable) coincidences, Lynn ends up at a dance hall with a woman he barely knows. The problem: How to divest himself of this lady without hurting her feelings and getting into trouble with his own girlfriend. It's Ralph Lynn's show all the way, and he makes the most of every comic opportunity. It would be nice to say that the film's production values were on the same level as the star's performance -- nice, and untrue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Winifred Shotter, Kenneth Kove, (more)
- 1931
The Aldwych Theater farceurs again combined forces in this adaptation of Will Evans and Arthur Valentine's stage farce Tons of Money. Ralph Lynn (who also co-wrote the script) plays eccentric inventor Aubrey Allington, on the verge of selling one of his creations for millions of pounds. To do this, however, Allington finds it necessary to pose as his long-missing cousin. On cue, the cousin shows up to label Allington a phony -- only to be labelled a phony himself by another man claiming to be the cousin. This goes on for reels and reels until director Tom Walls decides that enough's enough. Also on hand in Tons of Money is Aldwych regular Robertson Hare, expressing his usual panic and disdain over the hectic goings-on. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Lynn, Yvonne Arnaud, (more)
- 1931
Sherlock Holmes and Watson solve the murder of a young woman in this mystery that features Raymond Massey in the title role. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lyn Harding, Angela Baddeley, (more)
- 1931
In this British farce, based on a popular play, one fellow joins another in an endeavor to steal his fiancee's jewels back from the housekeeper that bilked her into giving them away. They succeed. Later, the engaged fellow discovers that the housekeeper obtained the valued rocks by committing bigamy. He and the housekeeper then cut a deal to share the wealth. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robertson Hare, Mary Brough, (more)
- 1931
A love triangle forms the basis of this melodrama set during a Venetian carnival. The main couple are a famed actor and his possibly adulterous wife. During the fair, the actors do the closing scenes from Othello. At that time, the insanely jealous actor tries to choke his wife on stage. As the curtain comes down, the actor calms down and realizes his mistake in judgment. He apologizes profusely to his woman and she forgives him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Schildkraut, Dorothy Bouchier, (more)
- 1930
This grim and gripping British melodrama was originally released in 1931 under the title Wolves. The scene is a Labrador whaling camp, where everyone is a fugitive from justice, and not a few are murderers. Dorothy Gish plays Leila, an unconscious survivor of a shipwreck who drifts into the camp in a rowboat. She is rescued by the lust-driven whalers, who then draw lots to see who will "win" her. Stacking the deck, a big lout named Job (Charles Laughton) claims Leila as his, but it turns out that he's an honorable sort who wishes only to rescue the girl from the other men. Wolves didn't make it to the U.S. until 1936, by which time its title was changed to Wanted Men and its running time was hacked down to 35 minutes by the censors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Laughton, Dorothy Gish, (more)
- 1930
This bedroom farce was originally a play that centers on an unhappily married couple looking to change their lives. When they meet a similar couple, the four decide to trade mates for a while. Chaos erupts when the two husbands get drunk and begin thinking that each is insulting the wife of the other. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Walls, Yvonne Arnaud, (more)
- 1930
The life and times of 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns are dramatized in this semi-musical biography. Burns is played by operatic tenor Joseph Hilsop, obliging the screenwriters to come up with scenes in which the protagonist will be permitted to sing as well as recite his verse. Its expansive title notwithstanding, the film focuses on only two of Burns's romances. The first is with Jean Armour (Dorothy Secombe), whom he marries; the second is with Mary Campbell (Eve Gray), with whom he has an extramarital affair. Typically, the film never lets the facts get in the way of the story, offering a fascinating if historically suspect account of Burns's early demise. A bit wearing for anyone not already familiar with its subject, The Loves of Robert Burns is redeemed by its gorgeous location photography. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eve Gray, Dorothy Seacombe, (more)
- 1930
This comedy marks the first sound appearance of the "Aldwych farceurs" three actors known for performing adaptations of then popular playwright Ben Travers' "Aldwych farces." In this one, a young girl flees her home and cruel stepfather. She then is befriended by a married man. Complications ensue. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Lynn, Tom Walls, (more)
- 1930
Though not as well known as the 1944 remake (which was directed by its star, Clive Brook), this first adaptation of Frederick Lonsdale's stage comedy On Approval was a worthwhile production in its own right. Tom Walls (who, like Brook, also directed) stars as George, the impoverished Duke of Bristol. In hopes of maintaining his lavish lifestyle, George talks American heiress Marie Wislak (Yvonne Arnaud) into a 30-day "trial marriage." This requires both George and Marie to exchange sweethearts, an arrangement that leads to one hilarious situation after another. The fact that neither hero nor heroine are the traditional sympathetic types adds a pinch of tangy spice to the stew. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Walls, Yvonne Arnaud, (more)
- 1929
Produced in Hollywood by Herbert Wilcox, who had been unable to obtain sound equipment in London, this "haunted house" (actually "haunted houseboat") mystery-thriller was nevertheless Great Britain's first "all-talkie." John Loder, the only Englishman involved besides Wilcox, and Mary Brian find themselves invited on board a mysterious, fog-bound houseboat. Soon, several of their fellow passengers fall victim to a disguised madman, who proves to be none other than their host, the Reverend Eph Kelly (veteran matinee idol James Kirkwood). Written by John Willard, the author of the classic The Cat and the Canary, and featuring innovative dialogue scenes, Black Waters ultimately suffered in comparison with Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail (1930), the first "all-talkie" filmed entirely in England. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Kirkwood, Mary Brian, (more)
- 1929
The Bondman was producer-director Herbert Wilcox's third cinematic effort of 1929, and his last silent production. Hollywood favorite Norman Kerry plays Jason, a Sicilian-American lad whose mother (Dora Barton) orders him to carry out a long-standing vendetta against Jason's father (Edward O'Neill). Simultaneously, the dying father swears Jason's half-brother Michael (Donald MacArdle) to seek out the mother's forgiveness. During a political insurrection in Sicily, Jason and Michael are both arrested and thrown into the same prison camp. Unaware of each other's identity, the two brothers become close friends. In the end, it is the "unforgiving" Jason who willingly forsakes the vendetta to save Michael from a firing squad. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norman Kerry, Dora Barton, (more)
- 1929
In this British drama, a female circus performer runs away to join her aunt after her mother dies. She is trying to escape her abusive father. Unfortunately, he follows her. Fortunately, everything is all straightened out by the story's end. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1929
The first of three Herbert Wilcox productions for 1929, The Woman in White was based on the classic Gothic novel by Wilkie Collins. Promised in marriage to the despicable Sir Percival Glide (Cecil Humphries), beautiful young heiress Laura Fairlie (Blanche Sweet) stumbles into a diabolical fraud scheme cooked up by Sir Percy and the even more odious Count Fosco (Frank Perfitt). Were it not for the diligence of handsome Walter Hartwright (Haddon Mason), Laura would be doomed -- just as her look-alike, likewise enmeshed in Fosco's scheme, met her unfortunate demise. Rescuing Laura from being fraudulently confined in a mental institution, Walter confronts the clever Fosco, but it is Fosco's long-suffering wife (Mina Grey) who brings the villainy to an abrupt and final end. The Woman in White was remade in 1948 as a chop-licking vehicle for Sydney Greenstreet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blanche Sweet, Haddon Mason, (more)
- 1929
In this British WW II comedy set in France, the bored Englishmen stationed there entertain themselves by putting on a vaudeville show. Many of the soldiers have great fun dressing up and performing as women. Just before the show ends, a battle erupts and they must fight. Some of them are still in drag. Songs include: "I'll be on My Way," "Encore," and "Lanky Carrie Fra' Lacansheer." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lew Lake
- 1928
One of the most controversial British films of the 1920s, Dawn is the story of World War 1 nurse and martyr Edith Cavell. Making a rare film appearance, Dame Sybil Thorndike stars as Cavell, who risked her life by rescuing British POWs from the Germans. Captured by the Kaiser's minions, Cavell was sentenced to be executed, an action that sparked an international outpouring of outrage, even from neutral nations. At the time Dawn was filmed, the world was at peace and the Germans were striving mightily to suppress their previous reputation as warmongers. Thanks to legal and political intervention, the film was heavily censored, then removed from distribution altogether (the official reason for the suppression was the film's startlingly brutal depiction of warfare). In 1939, with the threat of war once more looming over Britain, producer/director remade Dawn as Nurse Edith Cavell, with Anna Neagle in the starring role and with all the original film's anti-German sentiments intact. Both Dawn and its remake were based on a play by Reginald Berkeley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie Ault
- 1927
Dorothy Gish's screen vehicles for British director Herbert Wilcox were usually a treat, but her 1927 film Madame Pompadour tended to be weighed down by the ponderous stylistic choices of its producer, Germany's E. A. DuPont. Not surprisingly, Gish plays the title character, the celebrated 18th-century aristocrat-paramour whose clothing and hairstyles determined French fashions for decades. A favorite of King Louis XV (Henri Bosc), Mme. Pompadour has trouble limiting her ardor to any one man, and in this film she falls in love with handsome political prisoner Rene Laval (Antonio Moreno). Adapted by DuPont and Frances Marion from the stage play by Rudolf Schanzer and Ernst Wellisch, Madame Pompadour was an especially lavish and handsome production. Unfortunately, despite its brief 75-minute running time, the film moved at a snail's pace. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1927
The great American character actress Pauline Frederick crossed the Big Pond to star in the British Mumsie. Ms. Frederick is the pivotal cog in this story of World War 1 espionage. A young gambler, who tries to stay out of the world conflict, ends up as a secret agent. He ends up betraying his country, much to the dismay of his beloved "Mumsie" (Ms. Frederick). In an emotionally hypercharged third act, Mumsie takes drastic measures to wipe clean the blot left by her traitorous son. Mumsie was based on a play by Edward Knoblock. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pauline Frederick, Nelson Keys, (more)
- 1927
Another of English producer-director Herbert Wilcox's collaborations with American star Dorothy Gish, Tiptoes was also one of the most successful of the batch. Gish plays one-third of a Yankee vaudeville act, who try out some new material in a Liverpool music hall. When their act bombs, our heroine casts about for another source of income. She concocts a scheme whereby she will pose as a wealthy aristocrat, the better to inveigle a nobleman into marriage. But none of this really matters: the real "selling angle" in Tiptoes was the presence of legendary American humorist Will Rogers, cast as Gish's down-to-earth vaude partner (the third member of the trio was Nelson Keays, a popular British song-and-dance man in his own right). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorothy Gish, Will Rogers, (more)
- 1926
One of several artistic collaborations between American actress Dorothy Gish and British producer-director Herbert Wilcox, London is set in guess which English metropolis. Slum girl Mavis Hogan (Gish) bears an astonishing resemblance to the deceased daughter of wealthy dowager Lady Arbourfield (Daisy Campbell), and it is for this reason that Arbourfield decides to adopt Mavis. Acclimating herself to her posh surroundings, Mavis falls in love with Arbourfield's handsome young nephew Geoffrey Malvern (John Malvern). But when another young woman sets her cap for Paul, Mavis tearfully returns to the slums. She ultimately finds happiness with portrait painter Paul Merlan (Adelqui Millar), whose picture of Mavis attracted Lady Arbourfield's attention in the first place. Featured in the cast is bandleader Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, though their presence in a silent film must have seemed superfluous at best. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorothy Gish
- 1926
While Lillian Gish achieved stardom with her dramatic emoting, her sister Dorothy made a name for herself as a saucy comedienne. Nell Gwyn was one of several felicitous collaborations between Dorothy Gish and British producer-director Herbert Wilcox. The star is of course cast as the title character, the infamous 17th-century orange vendor who became a star on the London stage -- and the mistress of "merry monarch" King Charles III (Randle Ayrton). Though her fortunes take a downswing towards the end of her life, Nell remains ever faithful to her beloved Charles. Nell Gwyn was based on a novel by Marjorie Bowen, which was also the source for the 1934 remake, which starred Herbert Wilcox's talented protégé (and later wife) Anna Neagle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorothy Gish, Randle Ayrton, (more)
