Henry Ainley Movies
Distinguished British actor Henry Ainley first worked as a bank accountant. In 1900, he debuted on the London stage and went on to become one of British theatre's most prominent actors. In 1914, he became one of the first stage actors to appear in film. Soon after his feature film debut,Ainley became a star. He is the father of actor Richard Ainley. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
This film version of the famed Shakespearean comedy features Laurence Olivier as Orlando and Elisabeth Bergner as Rosalind. As the story goes, Rosalind, smitten by Orlando and not able to get his attention, disguises herself as a boy to more easily remain in Orlando's vicinity. Eventually Orlando grows to like his new friend and Rosalind is stuck playing a boy with a boy with whom she'd rather be a girl. Confusing? Maybe only Shakespeare could come up with the idea, but director Paul Czinner does a fine job executing the concept. ~ Rovi
- Starring:
- Henry Ainley, Felix Aylmer, (more)
- 1933
Based on a novel by J. B. Priestley, this British musical-comedy follows an unlikely trio as they try to revive the fortunes of a floundering touring theatrical troupe. Inigo Jolifant (John Gielgud) is a schoolteacher with a talent for songwriting, and Jess Oakroyd (Edmund Gwenn) is a man with theatrical ambitions who has just lot his job. Together, they persuade Miss Trant (Mary Glynne), an older single woman looking for adventure, to back them as they try to bring "The Dinky Do's" back into the spotlight. Susie Dean (Jessie Matthews) is a chorus girl who dreams of stardom, and when she's made the new leader of the show, it looks as if her dreams may finally become a reality. The Good Companions is buoyed by the superb singing and dancing talents of Matthews, who was considered one of the screen's greatest musical stars in England and Europe, though she inexplicably never achieved the same fame in the United States; Gielgud also got a rare opportunity to display his vocal abilities in this film. Keep your eyes peeled for Jack Hawkins and horror film great George Zucco, who both appear in supporting roles. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jessie Matthews, Edmund Gwenn, (more)
- 1932
Set during an ugly divorce proceeding, a faithless second wife is found guilty of adultery (with a wealthy nobleman whom she wants to marry) after the wronged husband's first wife shows him irrefutable evidence. Soon after the judge's gavel falls the newly freed husband and his first bride joyously reunite. Melodramatic but tuneful tripe. ~ Rovi
- 1924
Sally Bishop (Marie Doro) is a country girl who comes to the big city and lands a job as a typist. She becomes the mistress of attorney John Thraill (Henry Ainley), but after three years sadly realizes that he will never ask her to be his bride. Florence Turner plays the sympathetic friend who listens to Sally's troubles. Sydney Fairbrother also appears in this sentimental tearjerker. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- 1923
King Charles (Henry Victor) flees and hides in a huge oak tree when the troops loyal to Oliver Cromwell (Henry Ainley) close in. The royal entourage is disguised, and the king's sweetheart (Betty Compson) masquerades as Charles. Only when she is brought before Cromwell is it discovered the switch has been made. Clive Brock portrays a young man loyal to the crown in this historical costume drama that contains a convincing reenactment of the Battle of Worchester. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- 1916
Long before Alfred Hitchcock's more famous adaptation of Hall Caine's novel The Manx-Man, the property was transferred to the screen by versatile British filmmaker George Loane Tucker. As in the case of the Hitchcock version, the Tucker film was lensed on location on the Isle of Man. Elisabeth Risdon was cast as Kate, the romantic bone of contention between fisherman Pete (Frederick Groves and lawyer Philip (Henry Ainley. When Pete is reported lost at sea, Kate agrees to marry Philip, though she never gives up her love for the "lost" fisherman. This results in a maelstrom of melodramatic intrigue when the very-much-alive Pete comes back into Kate's life, forcing her to admit that her newborn baby is not Philip's, but Pete's. Comparisons between this version of the Manx-Man and the Hitchcock remake are all but impossible, since no complete prints of the earlier version are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1915
This English-made picture was based on the play by Sir Arthur Pinero). Iris (Alma Taylor) is raised in luxury, far removed from real life. When circumstances render her penniless she is forced to compromise her morals and become the mistress of Maldonado (Henry Ainley) -- even though she loves Trenwith (Stewart Rome). But Maldonado eventually throws her out into the street. In Pinero's play, Trenwith returns and when he discovers Iris's affair with Maldonado, he won't have anything to do with her. But in the film he forgives her, which makes a happy ending possible. This is proof that it wasn't just Hollywood that candy-coated its stories! ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi
- 1915
Previously filmed in 1913 by Edwin S. Porter, Anthony Hope's classic swashbuckler The Prisoner of Zenda was given a lavish and respectful treatment by British director George Loane Tucker. Henry Ainley was excellent in the dual role of King Rudolf of Ruritania and his look-alike British cousin Rudolf Rassendyl. Called upon to impersonate the king in order to foil the plans of the evil Black Michael (Arthur Holmes-Gore) and the roguishly villainous Rupert of Hentzau (Gerald Ames), Rassendyl pulls off the assignment with flying colors, fooling even King Rupert's betrothed, the lovely Princess Flavia (Jane Gail). For a British film of this period, Prisoner of Zenda boasted superb production values, and the action highlights -- especially the climactic duel between Rassendyl and Rupert -- were equally impressive. This Prisoner of Zenda remained the "definitive" version until Rex Ingram's opulent 1921 remake. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1915
The British The Great Adventure was based on a play by Arnold Bennett. Henry Ainley heads the cast as Liam Carve, a famous artist who hopes to escape his fame by assuming the identity of his dead valet. In this guise, he falls in love with Janet Cannott (Esme Hubbard), a woman of humble means. The future happiness of the middle-aged couple is threatened when it turns out that the deceased valet had a wife and children secretly tucked away. The Great Adventure was remade in 1933 with Roland Young and Lillian Gish as His Double Life, then again in 1943 with Monty Woolley and Gracie Fields as Holy Matrimony. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1915
The popularity of mythical kingdom stories in the silent era can be traced directly to author Anthony Hope, who wrote The Prisoner of Zenda and its sequel, Rupert of Hentzau. Both novels were committed to film several times. The sequel, however, ends tragically. It has been three years since Rudolf Rassendyll saved the life of Ruritania's King Rudolf V (Henry Ainley) and the King has all but forgotten the deed. Instead he jealously focuses on the affection that his wife, Queen Flavia (Jane Gail), has for the Englishman. Rupert of Hentzau wants a pardon from the King and steals some letters which he hopes to use as blackmail. Rassendyll plans to impersonate the king once again and meet up with Rupert, but Rupert encounters the real king first. In a battle at his hunting lodge, the king and his servant are fatally shot and a fire breaks out, burning both corpses beyond recognition. Rassendyll then comes face-to-face with Rupert and kills him in a sword fight. Because it is believed that it was Rassendyll who was found dead at the hunting lodge, he passes himself off as the king, but Rupert's spy shoots him dead. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi
