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Young Bess

This article is about the film. For the novel, seeYoung Bess (novel).

Young Bessis a 1953Technicolorbiographical film made byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayerabout the early life ofElizabeth I,from her turbulent childhood to the eve of her accession to the throne of England. It starsJean Simmonsas Elizabeth andStewart GrangerasThomas Seymour,withCharles Laughtonas Elizabeth's father,Henry VIII,a part he had played 20 years before inThe Private Life of Henry VIII.The film was directed byGeorge Sidneyand produced bySidney Franklin,from a screenplay byJan Lustig[de]andArthur Wimperisbased on thenovel of the same titlebyMargaret Irwin(1944).

Young Bess
Lobby card
Directed byGeorge Sidney
Written byJan Lustig[de]
Arthur Wimperis
Based onYoung Bess
1944 novel
byMargaret Irwin
Produced bySidney Franklin
StarringJean Simmons
Stewart Granger
Deborah Kerr
Charles Laughton
CinematographyCharles Rosher
Edited byRalph E. Winters
Music byMiklós Rózsa
Color processTechnicolor
Production
company
Distributed byLoew's Inc.
Release dates
Running time
112 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2,423,000[2]
Box office$4,095,000[2]

Plot

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Following the execution ofElizabeth's mother,Anne Boleyn,for infidelity,King Henry VIIIdeclares his daughter illegitimate and removes her from theline of succession to the throneand exiles her toHatfield Housewith her loyal servants,governessMrs. Ashleyand Mr. Parry. Over the years, her position rises and falls according to the whims of her father. The child is periodically summoned to return to London to become acquainted with Henry's latest spouse.

When Henry marries his last wife,Catherine Parr,the now-teenage Elizabeth rebels against her latest summons but is persuaded by the handsome, tactful Lord AdmiralThomas Seymourto change her mind. She and Catherine become good friends. Henry is impressed and amused by the resolute defiance of his daughter, and he declares her once again a legitimate heiress to the crown.

When Henry dies, Thomas's scheming brotherNedtakes over asLord Protectorand guardian of the child kingEdward VI,Elizabeth's half-brother, overriding Henry's dying wish that Thomas raise the boy. Ned's fear of his brother's ambition grows with each of Thomas's naval triumphs. In the meantime, Elizabeth realizes she is in love with Thomas, but graciously persuades Edward to issue a royal decree sanctioning the marriage of Thomas and Catherine. Despite the union, Thomas grows close to Elizabeth without realizing it until he witnesses Elizabeth being kissed by Barnaby, acourtier.Prompted by jealousy, Thomas kisses Elizabeth, who declares her love for him. Catherine, who has noticed the closeness between her husband and Elizabeth, asks Elizabeth to make a choice, and the princess moves back to Hatfield. Soon after, Catherine sickens and dies.

After months away at sea, Thomas returns and finally sees Elizabeth. Ned has him arrested and charged with treason. He also accuses Elizabeth of plotting with Thomas to overthrow her brother. She goes to see Edward, but is too late to save Thomas from execution. The film then shifts forward to 1558. Having survived the perils of her early life, and with Edward deceased and her elder sisterMarydying, Elizabeth is about to become Queen of England.

Cast

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Production

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Original novel

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The novel was published in 1944 in Britain and in 1945 in the U.S.[3]It became a best seller.[4]

Development

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MGM bought the rights to the novel in February 1945.Katherine Anne Porterand Jan Lustig signed to write the script, and Sidney Franklin was producer.[5]Eventually a script by Lustig and Arthur Wimperis was finished in 1946 and Franklin said "we were full of enthusiasm for it."[6]In May 1947,Deborah Kerrwas tested for the lead role.[7]

In March 1948, MGM announced it would make the film in Britain.[8]It was to be the second in a series of films made there, followingEdward, My Son.[9]In May 1948, MGM stated thatDeborah KerrandErrol Flynnwere "definite" for the film.[10][11]However filming did not proceed.

In August 1948,Walter PidgeonandJanet Leighreportedly were tested for lead roles.[12]Elizabeth Taylorwas considered for the title role as wasDeborah Kerr(if it was going to be the latter the character would be aged up).[13]In November 1948, MGM put the film on its schedule for the following year.[14]However, filming kept being postponed. In April 1949, MGM announced it was negotiating a contract with James Mason, whom it wanted to put inYoung BessandRobinson Crusoe.[15]

In December 1950,Jean Simmonsemerged as a favorite to play the title role. This was partly at the behest ofJ. Arthur Rankwho had Simmons under contract and thought the role would be perfect for her.[16]In February 1951, MGM announced Simmons would co-star with her husband Stewart Granger.[17]Filming continued to be pushed back in part because Simmons became enmeshed in a contractual dispute with Howard Hughes. In October 1951, Charles Laughton signed to play Henry VIII. In August 1952, Deborah Kerr joined the cast as Catherine Parr.[18]

Filming

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Filming took place in Hollywood starting in October 1952. Producer Sidney Franklin said:

We're telling an intimate story against a background of sixteenth century court life, as opposed to a historical pageant about royal intrigues. We feel the love story between the Princess and Seymour – actually he was 25 years older than Elizabeth – will be more valid to audiences than a lot of historical detail which has no relation to our customers lives.[6]

The musical score was composed byMiklós Rózsa,who was becoming known for his research on historical subjects. It incorporates tunes from theFitzwilliam Virginal Bookand other Tudor sources.

Reception

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Contemporary reviews were positive.A. H. WeilerofThe New York Timeswrote in a favorable review that "if faint strains of soap opera occasionally filter through the pomp and circumstance, Elizabeth of England and some of the storied figures who crowd this beautiful Technicolored tapestry, emerge as human beings."[19]Varietycalled it "a remarkably engrossing motion picture" and "a human story, sensitively written, directed and played."[20]"A strong romantic costume drama", declaredHarrison's Reports."The direction is faultless, the production values lavish, and the color photography exquisite."[21]John McCartenofThe New Yorkerwrote that the plot "may sound like a Madison Avenue concept of history, but as directed by George Sidney, the piece doesn't churn up too much sudsy bathos to be intolerable, and, indeed, the cast goes about its work with such sincerity that you can enjoy the thing as a handsome costume exercise even though you're skeptical about Miss Irwin's history."[22]

The film was Stewart Granger's favourite of all the movies he made for MGM "for the costumes, the cast, the story."[23]

Box office

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According to MGM records, the film earned $1,645,000 in North America and $2,450,000 in other markets, leading to a loss of $272,000.[2]

In France, the film recorded admissions of 1,465,207.[24]

Awards

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The film was nominated for twoAcademy Awards:for Best Costume Design andBest Art Direction(Cedric Gibbons,Urie McCleary,Edwin B. Willis,Jack D. Moore).[25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Of Local Origin".The New York Times:39. May 21, 1953.
  2. ^abc'The Eddie Mannix Ledger', Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study, Los Angeles
  3. ^C.V. TERRY. (Mar 25, 1945). "Queen in Miniature".New York Times.p. BR3.
  4. ^"The Best Selling Books, Here and Elsewhere: Fiction General".New York Times.May 20, 1945. p. BR11.
  5. ^"SCREEN NEWS".New York Times.Feb 9, 1945.ProQuest107201259.
  6. ^abWILLIAM H. BROWNELL Jr. (Dec 21, 1952). "SPOTLIGHTING SEVERAL RE-CREATED 'TUDORS': Studio Visit Shows Metro's 'Young Bess' Is Serious View of Royal Family".New York Times.p. X5.
  7. ^Hopper, Hedda (May 4, 1947). "British Star Given Flying Start in Her Career Here".Los Angeles Times.p. C1.
  8. ^"U.S. FILM PRODUCTION IN BRITAIN".The Manchester Guardian.Mar 30, 1948. p. 5.
  9. ^THOMAS F. BRADY (Apr 26, 1948). "METRO PLANNING FOREIGN PROGRAM: Studio Executives Will Discuss European Productions -- List Revival of 'Quo Vadis'".p. 27.
  10. ^Schallert, Edwin (May 20, 1948). "Holden, Cobb Chosen as Stars of 'Hearsay'".Los Angeles Times.p. 23.
  11. ^THOMAS F. BRADY (May 19, 1948). "LEAD IN TWO FILMS FOR DEBORAH KERR: Actress to Play Title Role in 'Young Bess' at Metro -- Also Cast With Tracy".New York Times.p. 30.
  12. ^"MOVIELAND BRIEFS".Los Angeles Times.Aug 12, 1948. p. 15.
  13. ^H. (Aug 28, 1948). "Girl star shines on in teens".Los Angeles Times.
  14. ^"MGM Schedules 22 Major Films for Next Year".Los Angeles Times.Nov 15, 1948. p. B16.
  15. ^Hopper, Hedda (Apr 30, 1949). "Looking at Hollywood".Chicago Daily Tribune.p. 17.
  16. ^Schallert, E. (Dec 14, 1950). "Jean Simmons heralded for 'young bess;' enemy agent film activated".Los Angeles Times.
  17. ^"Drama: Jean Simmons, Granger 'Young Bess' Costars".Los Angeles Times.Feb 27, 1951. p. 16.
  18. ^T. M. (Aug 24, 1952). "HOLLYWOOD SURVEY".New York Times.ProQuest112234935.
  19. ^Weiler, A. H. (May 22, 1953). "The Screen In Review".The New York Times:31.
  20. ^"Young Bess".Variety:6. April 29, 1953.
  21. ^"'Young Bess' with Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr and Charles Laughton ".Harrison's Reports:71. May 2, 1953.
  22. ^McCarten, John (May 30, 1953). "The Current Cinema".The New Yorker.p. 59.
  23. ^Brian MacFarlane,An Autobiography of British Cinema,Methuen 1997 p 231
  24. ^Box office information for Stewart Granger films in Franceat Box Office Story
  25. ^"Young Bess".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.2009. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-09-17.Retrieved2008-12-21.

Further reading

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  • Monder, Eric (1994).George Sidney:a Bio-Bibliography.Greenwood Press.ISBN9780313284571.
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