Undoubtedly, you’ve seen Lady Jane (1986), starring a young Helena Bonham Carter and Carey Elwes. But that’s not the first movie to tell the story of the ill-fated Jane Gray, who was Queen of England for a mere nine days after Edward VI and before Mary I in 1553. The first talkie film to focus on this topic was Tudor Rose in 1936, which was also titled Nine Days a Queen, starring Nova Pilbeam (who had been a popular child actress) as Jane, John Mills (who went on to have a long film career) as Guildford, and Cedric Hardwicke as bad guy Earl of Warwick/Northumberland (he subsequently played a lot more movie baddies).
Interestingly, this version spends a good third of the film on Edward’s reign and the machinations behind his throne. It’s a highly relevant build up to show how Jane is thrust onto the throne and actually gives this movie a bit more of a historical and less romantic bent than the 1986 story (which, yes, we loved to bits, but omg, the fall-in-love-overnight thing? the “our coin” stuff? puh-leeze, I’m not 17 anymore). Interesting touch, we see John Knox preaching fire and brimstone for Edward VI at his Lord Protector Edward Seymour’s behest — which is historically accurate, and in fact, Knox met his wife during this brief trip to England around 1550. Another good historical bit is Frances Grey, Jane’s mother, being a nasty piece of work, shipping off her daughter as she does (though I doubt her father was really such a doofus).
Despite a generally historical plot, the costumes are very 1930s Tudor-bethan. Wacky fabric choices married with goofy silhouettes. The one standout is Mary Tudor, who, when she meets Jane in the Tower of London, looks right out of a portrait. How they could get that Tudor gown correct yet the ones worn by Jane look so freaky, I don’t know. Either rental stock or a conscious choice to make the ingenue look that way.
Unfortunate biggins!
Yes, it’s a crappy visor French hood. But there’s some neat trim on the sleeves (doesn’t make up for the rest of it, just pointing that out).
1930s hair & makeup, of course.
Boy king asserts his will (to no affect).
Nope, not measuring up.
Hey, cuz, want my crappy job when I die?
OMG THIS PRINT IS INSANE.
Sparkly wedding outfits, briefly seen. I think this set the tone for Lady Jane in 1986.
Her slashed sleeves are obviously theatrical, but I like the overall look.
Unfortunate gable hood.
Coronation bling.
These aren’t bad, for a decade later.
How not to make Tudor sleeves.
Queen Mary looks good, from her hood to her gown.
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