Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex (1939)

Elizabeth I (Bette Davis) of England is in love with the much younger Earl Of Essex (Errol Flynn). He ostensibly returns that love but she fears his ambition and the thought that it is her throne and not her that attracts him to her is very much on her mind. Based on the play ELIZABETH THE QUEEN by Maxwell Anderson (ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS) and directed by Michael Curtiz. What the film lacks in historical accuracy, it makes up for in star power, production values and a good story. Davis plays Elizabeth I like a house afire and it's all Flynn can do to keep up with her. He's fine as Essex and brings the right amount of swash to the romanticized hero but clearly out of his league in the acting department. The film looks great and Warners spared no expense with the production design and costumes and the movie has the lush look of something out of MGM (think 1938's MARIE ANTOINETTE). A solid example of the "Golden Age" studio system at its best. Davis would again take on Elizabeth I in 1955's THE VIRGIN QUEEN at 20th Century Fox. There's yet another first rate score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. The supporting cast is bursting at the seams with familiar faces including Olivia De Havilland, Vincent Price, Nanette Fabray, Donald Crisp, Henry Daniell, Leo G. Carroll and John Sutton.