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.
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.
