Old English

Few people today likely have heard of George Arliss, let alone this 1930 film in which he starred. I would be among that group also, but for my interest in cinema, its history, and much to do with the people and products of the industry. "Old English" is based on a John Galsworthy story, "Old Heythorp," and the screenplay was written by Galsworthy himself from his stage play which he renamed "Old English."

While Arliss was one of the very good actors of early cinema, he was one who "progressed" from silent films to talkies. That's my nice way of saying that it took him some time to get over the exaggerated expressions and hammy looks at the camera that were part of the silent era. These were traits in some early Arliss talkies that drew negative comments from the critics. Apparently, he was particularly hammy in some of the biopics in which he acted (films on the lives of Disraeli, Voltaire, Alexander Hamilton, etc.). But he got over that in time and gave some smashing performances.

Unfortunately, this is one of the early Arliss films that has a number of hammy scenes. While the plot is interesting, and his character is very enjoyable, "Old English" has a stagy feel to it as well. The poorer production qualities, with these other shortcomings can't earn this film a very high rating. But it is worth viewing for Arliss and an interesting little plot.

John Galsworthy, incidentally, grew up learning his family's shipping business. Although trained to be a barrister in England, he forsook his education for travel, adventure, and writing. He met Joseph Conrad on one of his early trips to Australia, and the two future novelists became good friends. Conrad was then serving as first mate on a ship. Most people today will know Galsworthy from "The Forsyte Saga," although he wrote many novels, short stories and screenplays. Many of his stories were put on stage and some were made into movies. Besides "Forsyte," other notable films were "The Skin Game" in 1931 by Alfred Hitchcock, "Escape" in 1926 with two films, and others.

OLD English and especially the tour de force performance of George Arliss in his final original role for the Broadway stage, is here meticulously preserved, if in slightly truncated form, for a grateful nation (the film was a major hit in its day, confirming a distinguished film career for the aging Arliss) by Warner Brothers' Vitaphone film department as the movies started to talk in earnest.

Of course Arliss' transition from stage to film can be accused by 21st Century "know-it-alls" as being too much a filmed stage play as Arliss, playing a shipping magnate nearing the end of his life cuts questionable deals to make sure the family of an illegitimate son from earlier in his life is left well provided for (and some folk claim this story is somehow "dated"?!?). That very faithfulness to the origins in Galsworthy's stage play was one of the film's major virtues when made, and whatever performance technique Arliss displays that children today may find "arch," in 1930 was a virtual masterclass in carefully crafted subtlety compared to the acting style which dominated the time on stage and screen - hence Arliss' major, well earned - and well remembered even today among the genuinely knowledgeable - film stardom from 1921 to 1937 when he deigned to commute in from his London home.

While Arliss' 25 films are today not particularly well distributed because of the changing tastes of the times, there are three PAGES of them listed on DVD on Amazon at this writing, every one of them worth considering! Galsworthy's "The Forsythe Saga" would be a massive hit twice for the BBC and PBS television many years later trading on the same cultural values - but it was free on TV and the remake was in color, yet it never achieved the classic status that OLD English on stage and film held for over a decade in the 20's and 30's.

This beautiful document in a must-see for any serious student of the modern stage and early film; while probably not for the pseudo-film fan or latter day dilettante who expects car chases, sex and explosions as their "entertainment," it is required viewing for those who thus far only know Mr. Arliss for his justly famous (and Oscar winning) interpretation of DISRAELI the year before, repeating one of his most famous stage roles for the SECOND time on screen!

George Arliss was so revered by the Hollywood establishment that he's billed here, as in some other films, as "Mr. George Arliss," above the title. Although the movie is basically a drama, he provides for a lot of comedy with his antics, and he is almost in every scene. He plays a cagey octogenarian, in debt up to his ears, but still able to provide an income for his grandchildren before he dies, so they can be independent. He does this by somewhat unethical means, and he's found out and threatened with exposure. But the plot is almost secondary to the fun you can get by watching his acting. At a shareholder's meeting, he keeps them waiting while he drinks his tea by first pouring it into his saucer and drinking from the saucer. He was proposing a large expenditure and it quietened everybody down. The eating scene at the end lasts about 15 minutes and is very funny, as his servant continually tries to stop him from the excesses he has in mind. But he is resolute and he is the master, so he doesn't stop. I was a bit disappointed at the unexpected ending, but in retrospect, it was the only way to end the movie. The supporting cast includes Betty Lawford as his granddaughter (a standout), Doris Lloyd as his secret daughter-in-law, Ethel Griffies as his spinster bossy daughter and Murray Kinnell as the villain, all in fine form.

62 year old George Arliss is aged some 20 years to play an aged shipping tycoon who's now deeply in debt in Old English. I found it ironic that Arliss who did this on Broadway in the 1924-25 season for 183 performances was aged for this part and for Alexander Hamilton he was rather ludicrously made younger. Of course in the Hamilton part Arliss was much younger when he did it on stage.

At this point in life Arliss wants to provide something for his grandchildren who are the children of his illegitimate son, the son's wife Doris Lloyd is having a rough go of it. But he's got one creditor in Murray Kinnell who wants his debt settled before all and there's his daughter from his marriage Ethel Griffies who gives him no pleasure in his old age.

The play was written by John Galsworthy better known of course for The Forsyte Saga and you can see some similarities there. But the production itself is too slow and too stage oriented. A couple of outdoor shots don't really do the trick to make it a movie.

Still Arliss, old fashioned as he is is always a treat to watch.

Beset by creditors & worried over the fortunes of his dead, illegitimate son's children, an elderly shipping magnate - (affectionately known as OLD ENGLISH) - finds a determinate solution to his financial woes.

Mr. George Arliss, master movie actor of the 1930's, gives another extraordinary cinematic portrait, stealing his every scene & charming the viewers with equal ease. Born George Augustus Andrews (1868-1946), here was a performer destined for the screen, endlessly fascinating, never dull or commonplace. With the tiniest gesture or lift of an eyebrow he could impart unspoken volumes to the audience. Here he has one of his classic sequences, a long scene at the climax where he libidinously delights in a splendid solitary supper, relishing every bite & sip - an Oscar-worthy performance in every way.

Based on a John Galsworthy novel & play, the production values are adequate, but they betray their stage origins. Never mind. All Arliss needs is his supreme talent to make this regrettably obscure film memorable.

In the supporting cast, Ivan F. Simpson is excellent as an aged, querulous ship builder. Doris Lloyd & Ethel Griffies, two terrific British actresses who spent most of their careers in small roles in Hollywood films, often uncredited, are both given a fine opportunity to exhibit their skills as the troublesome women in Arliss' life.