The First Gentleman [Affairs of a Rogue] *** (1948, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Joan Hopkins, Cecil Parker) – Classic Movie Review 13,092

UK cinema release poster.

The rather stuffy and fusty 1948 British historical drama film The First Gentleman [Affairs of a Rogue] stars Jean-Pierre Aumont, Joan Hopkins and Cecil Parker, who brings a breath of fresh air as George, the Prince Regent.

Director Alberto Cavalcanti’s rather stuffy and fusty 1948 British historical drama film The First Gentleman [Affairs of a Rogue] stars Jean-Pierre Aumont, Joan Hopkins and Cecil Parker, who brings a breath of fresh air as George, the Prince Regent. It may not be entirely historical, or entirely entertaining, but nevertheless it is what people call ‘a jolly costume romp’ (that’s if anyone uses the words ‘jolly’ or ‘romp’ any more, but they fit here nicely). Parker is the main star but doesn’t get top star billing, and now Aumont and Hopkins are forgotten.

The cast also include Margaretta Scott, Jack Livesey, Ronald Squire, Athene Seyler, Hugh Griffith, Michael Ward, Amy Frank, Anthony Hawtrey, Gerard Heinz, Joan Young, and Betty Huntley-Wright.

Norman Ginsbury’s London West End hit play about the 19th-century British Prince Regent deserved a better film, but Cecil Parker’s attractively flamboyant performance as the Prince Regent and much of the dialogue amuse.

The rather poorly produced, slightly sluggishly handled story centres on the Prince Regent plotting for his only daughter Princess Charlotte (Joan Hopkins) to marry Prince William of Orange rather than cash-poor Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg (Jean-Pierre Aumont). It is shot in black and white by Jack Hildyard, just when we need Technicolor, though the Production Design by C P Norman is attractive. Cavalcanti handles the actors sensitively and well, but his pacing is not good. Film editor Margery Saunders doesn’t cut her scenes sharply enough, making the film feel draggy in places and overlong.

It starts in 1810 at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, where doctors tell the Queen that King George III will not regain his sanity, and they inform Prince George that he is to become Regent. Don’t panic, young George!

In the star character parts, Margaretta Scott is outstanding as Lady Hartford and George Curzon is notable as the Duke of York, one of the Regent’s younger brothers. Right down the cast, Michael Ward and Claud Allister amuse as the valet and manservant, while Athene Seyler and Hugh Griffith are especially worthwhile as the Regent’s friend Miss Knight and the Bishop of Salisbury.

The screenplay by Nicholas Phipps and Reginald Long is based on Norman Ginsbury’s play The First Gentleman, staged in London’s West End in 19455-46, starring Robert Morley as the Prince Regent, Wendy Hiller as Princess Charlotte and Philip Friend as Leopold.

An attempt to interest Robert Morley starring in a film version had earlier been made by Vernon Sewell, but Morley refused to appear in it. Sewell recalled: ‘He would sell the rights but he wouldn’t make the film. Without Bob [Morley] the thing was worth nothing.’ It is not clear why he didn’t want to do the film, which misses him, though Parker is an ideal substitute, and he doesn’t let the chance slip through his fingers.

The title is taken from the Prince Regent’s nickname ‘The First Gentleman of England’, which he earned thanks to his evident charm and culture, but probably not thanks to his dissolute way of life. He apparently wasn’t a gentleman at all.

It is made at Nettlefold Studios, with filming at Brighton Pavilion, Brighton, East Sussex, England.

It is Melissa Stribling’s debut (as Lady Conyngham).

It was released as Affairs of a Rogue in the US where it fell foul of censorship. Detailing the Prince Regent’s immorality and excesses led the film to be cut from 111 minutes to 91 minutes in the US and prints were darkened to tone down sights of women’s breasts in Regency costumes!

George IV (born 12 August 1762) was King of the United Kingdom from 29 January 1820 until his death on 26 June 1830. He was prince regent from 5 February 1811 during his father King George III’s final mental illness.

The First Gentleman [Affairs of a Rogue] is directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, runs 111 minutes, is made by Columbia British Productions, is released by Columbia Pictures Corporation (UK) and Columbia Pictures (US), is written by Nicholas Phipps and Reginald Long, based on Norman Ginsbury’s play The First Gentleman, is shot in black and white by Jack Hildyard, is produced by Joseph Friedman, is scored by Lennox Berkeley, and is design by C P Norman.

The orchestra conductor is the famed Sir Thomas Beecham.

Release dates 15 March 1948 (UK) and 17 February 1949 (US).

The cast are Cecil Parker as Prince Regent, Jean-Pierre Aumont as Prince Leopold, Joan Hopkins as Princess Charlotte, Margaretta Scott as Isabella, Lady Hartford,  Jack Livesey as Edward, Ronald Squire as Brougham,  Athene Seyler as Miss Knight, Judy Beaumont as Princess Sophia, Olwen Brookes as Princess Mary Anthony Hawtrey as Sir Richard Croft, Hugh Griffith as John Fisher, Bishop of Salisbury, Gerard Heinz as Doctor Stockmar, Joan Young as Mrs Griffiths, George Curzon as Duke of York, Betty Huntley-Wright as Princess Elizabeth, Tom Gill as Prince William, Lydia Sherwood as Princess Augusta, Frances Waring as Queen Charlotte, Amy Frank as Caroline, Richard Shayne as Lord Eldon, Michael Warre as Public Speaker, Melissa Stribling as Lady Conyngham, Claud Allister as Caroline’s manservant, Drusilla Wills as 1st Lady In Waiting Judith Nelmes as 2nd Lady In Waiting Dorothy Hammond as 3rd Lady In Waiting, amd Beatrice Rowe as 4th Lady In Waiting.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,092

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