The Private Life of Henry VIII

The star (Charles Laughton) is not seen but much discussed, as producer-director Alexander Korda lets his nurse (Lady Tree) and attendants chatter, the current queen (Merle Oberon) awaiting the gleeful executioner (Gibb McLaughlin), opening The Private Life Of Henry VIII, 1934.

Even as his next wife approaches on a ship, the king (Charles Laughton) attempts an assignation with Katherine (Binnie Barnes), until news from Cromwell (Franklin Dyall) causes her admirer Culpepper (Robert Donat) to intervene, in Alexander Korda’s The Private Life Of Henry VIII, 1934.

Director Alexander Korda exploits legend as the king (Charles Laughton) negotiates an exit from his politically-motivated fourth marriage to savvy Germanic Anne Of Cleves (Elsa Lanchester, also Mrs. Laughton) in a card game, in The Private Life Of Henry VIII, 1934.

The king (Charles Laughton) enjoying falconry when word arrives that his son is born, director Alexander Korda featuring brother Vincent’s efficient sets, as Cramner (Larence Hanray) relays bad news, and the royal nurse (Lady Tree) supervises, in The Private Life Of Henry VIII, 1934.

Awaiting the beheading of his wife, Charles Laughton (title character) bullies minister Cromwell (Franklin Dyall) and aide Culpepper (Robert Donat), and summons her successor Lady Jane (Wendy Barrie), early in Alexander Korda’s The Private Life Of Henry VIII, 1934.