Beau Brummell *** (1954, Stewart Granger, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Ustinov, Robert Morley) – Classic Movie Review 5415

Director Curtis Bernhardt’s 1954 MGM movie Beau Brummell is a visually captivating and engaging enough remake of the 1924 silent in which John Barrymore cemented his silent superstar status as Beau Brummell.

Stewart Granger and Elizabeth Taylor are typecast as Captain George Bryan Brummell (1778-1840) of the 10th Royal Hussars Regiment, the famous 19th century England Regency dandy fop and dedicated leader of fashion, and Lady Patricia, the aristocratic beauty who loves him.

But that is fine as they are a pleasure to watch, both of them charismatic and alluring, though the acting plaudits are snatched by shameless scene-stealers Peter Ustinov as the vain, strutting Prince of Wales, whom Brummell enchants, and Robert Morley as King George III.

Colourful sets and costumes make this an eye-catching picture, but it is marred by a talky, slow-moving screenplay by Karl Tunberg, unimaginative and uninspired direction by Bernhardt, and a leaden production that does not quite do justice to the English Casanova. However, Granger is at his most dashing and appealing, Taylor is around her most beautiful and magnetic, and the huge fun character acting also helps to save it.

Tunberg’s screenplay is based on Clyde Fitch’s play.

Also in the cast are James Donald, James Hayter, Rosemary Harris, Paul Rogers, Noel Willman, Peter Bull, Peter Dyneley, Charles Carson, Ernest Clark, Mark Dignam, Desmond Roberts, David Horne, Ralph Truman, Elwyn Brook-Jones, George De Warfaz, Henry Oscar, Harold Kasket, Finlay Currie, Bessie Love and David Peel.

Beau Brummell is directed by Curtis Bernhardt, runs 113 minutes, is made and released by MGM, is written by Karl Tunberg, based on Clyde Fitch’s play, is shot in Eastmancolor by Oswald Morris, is produced by Sam Zimbalist, is scored by Richard Addinsell and is designed by Alfred Junge.

The movie was chosen for the Royal Film Performance of 1954, attended by the young Queen Elizabeth II, who apparently was amused by Robert Morley’s interpretation of her royal ancestor King George III.

It was shot at Brighton, Maidenhead, Newmarket Racecourse, the Throne Room of Windsor Castle and Ockwells Manor.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5415

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