Displaying items by tag: Maurice Evans
Story of Gilbert and Sullivan, The
THE STORY OF GILBERT AND SULLIVAN
UK, 1953, 109 minutes, Colour.
Robert Morley, Maurice Evans, Eileen Herlieh, Peter Finch, Martyn Green, Dina Sheridan, Isabel Dean, Wilfred Hyde-White, Muriel Aked, Michael Ripper.
Directed by Sidney Gilliat.
From a 21st-century perspective, it is surprising to discover that this film was not successful at the box office on its release in the early 1950s. Yet, the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan continued to be very, very popular.
This is quite a lavish production, sets and costumes, theatrical design, English society in the latter part of the 19th century.
For audiences interested in Gilbert and Sullivan, Robert Morley gives a variation on his enjoyably pompous performances as the self-confident Gilbert, master of words and witty lines, yet dreading opening nights, avoiding them, returning to hear applause and go happily on stage. Maurice Evans is Sullivan, classical composer of oratorios, eventually an Opera, teaming up with Gilbert, challenged by friends and a potential fiancee played by Dinah Sheridan, to honour his talent for high art. However, he is carried away and has composed many wonderful melodies, songs to accompany Gilbert’s words, but the music having a stand alone and entertainment value.
The screenplay follows the various productions, reproducing scenes from some of the most famous and well known. The film starts with an extensive excerpt from Trial By Jury, then moves into such favourites as HMS Pinafore, the Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, The Gondoliers and Yeomen of the Guard, Iolanthe. And references to other creations like The Sorcerer.
Peter Finch appears as D’Oyley Carte, the manager of the company, the builder of the Savoy Theatre, involved in the building of the Opera house. There are quite a number of British character actors in support, Eileen Herlie as Helen D’Oyley Carte, a successful business partner with her husband, Isabel Dean as Gilbert’s wife and an entertaining cameo from Wilfred Hyde-who is to who enjoys the performances unlike his snobbish daughter.
There is some pathos at the end after Gilbert and Sullivan’s falling out, not speaking for some years, a possible reconciliation, the turn-of-the-century performance of the Yeomen of the Guard and the news of Sullivan’s death. Gilbert continued and was knighted by Queen Victoria, the culmination of the film.
In 1999, writer-director, Mike Leigh, did more than justice to Gilbert and Sullivan and their creations in his lavish and engaging film, Topsy Turvey.
