DramaRomance

Nell Gwyn

An actress becomes the king's mistress and persuades him to convert the palace to a serviceman's home.

Release Date : 1926-01-02

Language :

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : W.M. ProductionsBritish National Films

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Nell Gwyn

Original Name : Dorothy Gish

Gender : Female

Character Name : Charles II

Original Name : Randle Ayrton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lady Castlemaine

Original Name : Juliette Compton

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mrs. Gwyn

Original Name : Sydney Fairbrother

Gender : Female

Character Name : Duke of Monmouth

Original Name : Donald Macardle

Gender : Male

Character Name : Samuel Pepys

Original Name : Johnny Butt

Gender : Male

Character Name : Duke of York

Original Name : Gibb McLaughlin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Toby Clinker

Original Name : Judd Green

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dickon

Original Name : Edward Sorley

Gender : Male

Character Name : Charles Hart

Original Name : Forrester Harvey

Gender : Male

Character Name : Earl of Shaftesbury

Original Name : Fred Rains

Gender : Male

Character Name : Evelyn

Original Name : Rolf Leslie

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tom Killigrew

Original Name : Aubrey Fitzgerald

Gender : Male

Character Name : Innkeeper

Original Name : Tom Coventry

Gender : Male

Character Name : Messenger

Original Name : Booth Conway

Gender : Male

Character Name : Maid

Original Name : Dorinea Shirley

Gender : Female

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-06-06

This is quite an entertaining romp with Dorothy Gish playing the eponymous orange seller who captivates and captures the heart of King Charles II (Randle Ayrton) much to the chagrin of one of his other "companions" - Juliette Compton ("Lady Castlemaine") and of his ill-fated brother James, Duke of York (Gibb McLaughlin). Some of this borders on the burlesque with an enjoyable, and occasionally provocative, bawdiness from the star that would surely have challenged the censors had it been made just a few years later. Aside from providing this rather rakish King with some pleasures of the flesh, she also proved to be a decent influence on him - and even today, his former palace at Chelsea in west London is still the home for retired soldiers she inspired him to establish. Gish is on great form here, she plays her part with gusto and vigour, tempered with a degree of sensitivity as the plot follows the declining health of her Royal patron. Unfortunately, the remainder of the cast are pretty static, indeed McLaughlin looks like he has been sucking on a lemon for most of his scenes, but the comedy - of which there is plenty - raises a smile as the rivalry between the two women gathers pace. The production is basic, but I rather enjoyed it.