Rembrandt

London: London Film Productions, 1936. Four vintage studio still photographs from the 1936 film, one of Charles Laughton in the lead as artist Rembrandt van Rijn and three of Gertrude Lawrence as Rembrandt's lover Geertje Dircx.

In 1933, 3 years prior to "Rembrandt," director Alexander Korda and Charles Laughton made "The Private Life of Henry VIII" firmly establishing Korda as a director of note and Laughton as a star. While "Rembrandt" would not garner the same box office success as "The Private Life of Henry VIII," it was a critical success and features a compelling performance by Laughton in the lead role.

An unconventional approach to a biopic, Korda's "Rembrandt" breaks the life of the painter into to 3 distinct periods. 1642, at the peak of his fame when his beloved wife Saskia suddenly dies and he unveils his most ambitious painting the 12' x 16' "The Night Watch" to a scandalous reception (though not historically accurate it does assist the narrative in this riches to rags story). 1656, with the painter bankrupt but happy, having ended his affair with his son's nurse Geertje (Gertrude Lawrence) and fallen in love with the housemaid Hendrickje Stoffels, played by Laughton's wife Elsa Lanchester. Finally 1669, Rembrandt is at the end of his life, physically enfeebled and impoverished, but wizened, undiminished and undaunted.

8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus, overall. Some light creasing primarily to edges and some light rubbing. One open tear on bottom left of Laughton photograph.

Criterion Collection Eclipse Series 16.

[Book #146579]