Nell Gwyn

England's movie industry was reeling after The Great War when its filmmakers were decimated by personal loses as well as a public whose concentration was focused on just surviving the war. At the same time, the United Kingdom's theaters were overwhelmed by a deluge of popular movies from Hollywood. Of all the motion pictures shown in Britain's cinema houses in 1926, only 5% were UK product. Rare was a British movie shown outside the kingdom's commonwealths, which included Australia and Canada. The Slump of 1924 resulted in a number of UK film studios to go bankrupt.

In a rarity during that span, one of England's films drew good crowds in oversea's markets upon its release: British National Pictures' July 1926's "Nell Gwyn." Part of the explanation for its success worldwide, especially in the United States, was that it was a darn good picture portraying an orange seller becoming one of King Charles II's favorite mistresses in the 17th century. Another reason is that the movie features Dorothy Gish, Lilian's younger sister. Adapted from Marjorie Bowen's 1926 novel 'Mistress Nell Gwyn,' the bio pic portrays a vivacious lower-class wanna-be actress whose personality engages everyone who is lucky to be near her.

The New York Times was highly praising of the film. "Whatever may be the shortcomings of English motion picture producers," the paper's reviewer wrote, "If they can put together other pictures as simply and with as much dramatic effect as this story of Nell Gwyn, they should have no difficulty obtaining a showing for them anywhere." Dorothy was different from her more serious sister Lilian by her more light-hearted roles. Director/producer Herbert Wilcox knew the story of Nell Gwyn afforded the plot's central character to be expressively jubilant. Wilcox felt there could be no better actress to portray her than Dorothy Gish, despite her American background. As one reviewer wrote, "I've never seen a Gish perform with such abandon and must observe that filming must have been delayed by regular wardrobe malfunctions." Dorothy's top apparel could not possibly be any lower, as seen on the screen. It's been noted that her appearance in such a costume would not be permitted on the United States screen after the new Movie Moral Code was enacted in the summer of 1934.

The success of "Nell Gwyn," however, didn't stop the United Kingdom Parliament from enacting the 'Cinematograph Films Act 1927' to support its faltering industry. The Act established a quota for its UK's theaters to show 7.5% commonwealth-produced movies, filmed in the kingdom's studios containing a British subject or theme comprised of a 75% film crew from the UK. That quota of UK-produced films to be shown in the kingdom's theaters was raised to 20% in 1935. The Act lasted until 1960 when it was repealed.

It seems that Dorothy Gish is easily forgotten, which is a shame due to the screen presence she held. Lillian was the 'dramatic' one, and her works today are far more plentiful when one goes to find their works on VHS or even DVD. Dorothy, the more 'comedic' one, was very popular in her day, as well.

I had the pleasure of seeing a wonderful print of NELL GWYNNE at a Gish film festival. In it, Dorothy plays the lead role, which she brings a good deal of zest and spirit. In it, she plays a young, poor street vendor who meets the King of England and wins his heart. He fulfills her dreams to become an actress, and the movie relates how she survives being an impoverished girl thrown into 'society'. Dorothy has some scenes that are delightful, and still to this day laugh out loud funny.

Hopefully, more of Dorothy's works will be available to the mass market and we will not have to rely on the very rare silent film showing to be able to appreciate her work to early cinema.

This is quite an entertaining romp with Dorothy Gish playing the eponymous orange seller who captivates and captures the heart of King Charles II (Randle Ayrton) much to the chagrin of one of his other "companions" - Juliette Compton ("Lady Castlemaine") and of his ill-fated brother James, Duke of York (Gibb McLaughlin). Some of this borders on the burlesque with an enjoyable, and occasionally provocative, bawdiness from the star that would surely have challenged the censors had it been made just a few years later. Aside from providing this rather rakish King with some pleasures of the flesh, she also proved to be a decent influence on him - and even today, his former palace at Chelsea in west London is still the home for retired soldiers she inspired him to establish. Gish is on great form here, she plays her part with gusto and vigour, tempered with a degree of sensitivity as the plot follows the declining health of her Royal patron. Unfortunately, the remainder of the cast are pretty static, indeed McLaughlin looks like he has been sucking on a lemon for most of his scenes, but the comedy - of which there is plenty - raises a smile as the rivalry between the two women gathers pace. The production is basic, but I rather enjoyed it.

The first of three films by Herbert Wilcox featuring Nell Gwyn; at least this silent version lacks Anna Neagle's attempt at a cockney accent in the later films. All the women wear plunging preCode necklines; even Sydney Fairbrother, whom I would like to have seen more of as Nell's impecunious mother.

"A Character Study" of a lowly orange-selling Englishwoman, who uses her cleavage and humor to captivate the King of England. Director Herbert Wilcox would remake the story, more successfully, as an Anna Neagle talking picture. This production catches Dorothy Gish (as Nell Gwyn) nearing the end of her successful career as a major silent star, unfortunately; her comic sex appeal is prominently displayed.

Ms. Gish and others are directed to cavort and/or emote excessively. After Gish moves into the castle, as King Randle Ayrton (as Charles)'s mistress, she uses her "power" to do good deeds (presumably, showing the "character" promised earlier). A relatively good scene features Gish and low-cut dress rival Juliette Compton (as Castlemaine) fuming over the King.

The ending suggests this "Nell Gwyn" might have been intended as a love story. Earlier, "Nell" states she loves the King, and a sexual relationship is certainly presumed; however, the two never appear to be "in love". More importantly, what happened to "Nell", and her career as an actress, after the end of the movie? In the end, she seems only to have been important as a King's play-thing.

*** Nell Gwyn (7/18/26) Herbert Wilcox ~ Dorothy Gish, Randle Ayrton, Juliette Compton