Copyright 1955 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation. New York opening at the Palace (yes, the Palace): 10 June 1955. U.S. release: May 1955. U.K. release: April 1955. Australian release: 16 February 1956. 9,022 feet. 100 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: It is the year 1570 when His Royal Catholic Majesty Philip II of Spain (Paul Scofield) pays a surprise visit to the summer palace of Princess Ana de Mendoza (Olivia de Havilland). He is royally welcomed by her 7-year-old son Fernando (Andy Shine) and affectionately greeted by the lovely Ana who asks what brings him from Madrid. Philip asks her to return to his court to use her influence to sway the nobility to accept Antonio Perez (Gilbert Roland), alternate to his first secretary, Mateo Vasquez (Dennis Price). He considers the commoner a more able and above all, more loyal subject.
NOTES: Fox's 52nd CinemaScope movie has the dubious distinction of being the first to lose money. After a massive advertising blitz, it was realized too late that patrons and fans were NOT attracted by the idea of seeing an eye-patched Olivia de Havilland. Despite Paul Scofield's impressive performance in his film debut, the film lacked supporting star power. Most potential picturegoers found the subject matter unappealing. Lukewarm and negative reviews didn't help either.
In 1949, Kate O'Brien adapted her novel into a stage play "That Lady". Despite the film's official credits, the screenplay was directly based on the stage play, not the novel.
When Fox studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck saw a rough cut of the finished film, he thought Scofield's performance so terrific, he ordered his part built up. At enormous cost, the unit re-assembled at MGM's Elstree studios where six minutes of additional footage was shot with Scofield and Dennis Price. With some justification, Zanuck thought that Scofield would have a cinema career rivaling John Barrymore's. But such was not to be. "That Lady" was a resounding financial flop. It wasn't until "A Man for All Seasons", eleven years later, that Scofield made a hit with the public as well as the critics. By then of course it was too late.
COMMENT: Boring. Despite all the sumptuous sets and costumes, boring. A talky script, lackluster performances (with the exception of 32-year-old Scofield's 55-year-old Philip II) and plodding direction are chiefly to blame. Also, I agree with the public. Miss de Havilland's eye-patch is off-putting.
SYNOPSIS: It is the year 1570 when His Royal Catholic Majesty Philip II of Spain (Paul Scofield) pays a surprise visit to the summer palace of Princess Ana de Mendoza (Olivia de Havilland). He is royally welcomed by her 7-year-old son Fernando (Andy Shine) and affectionately greeted by the lovely Ana who asks what brings him from Madrid. Philip asks her to return to his court to use her influence to sway the nobility to accept Antonio Perez (Gilbert Roland), alternate to his first secretary, Mateo Vasquez (Dennis Price). He considers the commoner a more able and above all, more loyal subject.
NOTES: Fox's 52nd CinemaScope movie has the dubious distinction of being the first to lose money. After a massive advertising blitz, it was realized too late that patrons and fans were NOT attracted by the idea of seeing an eye-patched Olivia de Havilland. Despite Paul Scofield's impressive performance in his film debut, the film lacked supporting star power. Most potential picturegoers found the subject matter unappealing. Lukewarm and negative reviews didn't help either.
In 1949, Kate O'Brien adapted her novel into a stage play "That Lady". Despite the film's official credits, the screenplay was directly based on the stage play, not the novel.
When Fox studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck saw a rough cut of the finished film, he thought Scofield's performance so terrific, he ordered his part built up. At enormous cost, the unit re-assembled at MGM's Elstree studios where six minutes of additional footage was shot with Scofield and Dennis Price. With some justification, Zanuck thought that Scofield would have a cinema career rivaling John Barrymore's. But such was not to be. "That Lady" was a resounding financial flop. It wasn't until "A Man for All Seasons", eleven years later, that Scofield made a hit with the public as well as the critics. By then of course it was too late.
COMMENT: Boring. Despite all the sumptuous sets and costumes, boring. A talky script, lackluster performances (with the exception of 32-year-old Scofield's 55-year-old Philip II) and plodding direction are chiefly to blame. Also, I agree with the public. Miss de Havilland's eye-patch is off-putting.