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LONDON CONFIDENTIAL

Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was

The Private Life of Henry the VIII (1933)

with Charles Laughton in his first film role.

It is a bawdy, pre-code, romp through the history pages with a few embellishments.

It is funny most of the time although the beheadings are a little grim.

All the wives are shown but the first. She, apparently was too dull to include.

The dialogue is pretty snappy and the action is near burlesque at times.

Laughton's turn with his life-wife Elsa Lanchester is really good. They have that rapport than makes you lean forward to get it all.

The DVD is very scratchy with a lot of hiss. It is not a Criterion restoration by any means. But, it is fun to see particularly the great Laughton getting his acting chops on.

I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5.

Here are Charles and Elsa on their wedding night. They have no mutual attraction so they decide that they will divorce with treaties signed as originally intended. Instead of making love, they play a game of cards—for money.

She wins.

Labels: best films