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Maybe " Carry on Rubbing" would have been a better title for this unsubtle, unfunny romp. So much could have been made of this interesting period of British history and the political shenanigans of the court, maybe the film could have highlighted the subtle power of women behind the scenes in the corridors of power? No! What we get is a petulant, childish queen and two women more interested in scoring points off each other than affecting the course of history. Other reviewers have seen influences of other film-makers, I got a whiff of Ken Russell. Photography and settings were impressive. Dialogue was often delightful but frequently crass. All the principals were top-notch and the supporting cast were satisfactory, in fact, all the elements of the film were well constructed, it's just that they didn't come together well.

Again, not a review, but, when this film was shown at the Imperial, Walsall, Staffordshire, England in October 1926 it was shown "complete and without any drastic cuts as made in Birmingham", and had scenes in natural colouring, produced by an entirely new process which caused no flicker or strain to the eyes. As we all know, colour processes at this time were not always successful or even popular with audiences, so it is possible that a colour-free version was also available. The Imperial was a cinema constantly seeking ways to attract patrons who might otherwise go to its newer, more classy neighbour, The Picture House. The film was described as "stupendous" and a vocalist from a London theatre was employed to accompany it for some reason not explained.

This is a very entertaining film in its own right, but that which I enjoyed about it most, as a common working guy, with no artistic pretensions worth speaking of, is the way in which the various key characters featured have all managed to convince themselves that what they do is essential to some great endeavour! Well, mes amis, you are only fancy-dan dressmakers, and if you gave up and went on to a different job, you would soon be replaced! The school jumpers my Ma used to knit for me were as valuable as what you do- pity no-one ever had a 350,000 euro account with her! But, as I said, a very entertaining film, and these are not the only people who think highly of themselves - film critics fall into the same trap (not that I am one). General Yen