THE VIRGIN QUEEN (2oth Century-Fox 1955) Fox Home Video

Despite its subject matter – that of political intrigue in the court of Elizabeth I, and a cast to include Bette Davis, a robustly handsome, Richard Todd and sultry Joan Collins (whose ample bosom heaving forth from these Elizabethan costumes is decidedly her very best asset herein), Henry Koster’s The Virgin Queen (1955) is a turgid and thoroughly unremarkable retread of English history made fictional for the benefit of a not terribly prepossessing romantic yarn. Davis had already shaved into her hairline once before to play the enigmatic English ruler for 1939’s The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. Then, the wordy foreplay between Davis and costar, Errol Flynn had been based on a magnificent stagecraft from imminent playwright, Maxwell Anderson, generating considerable sparks beneath the Elizabethan collars and cuffs. On The Virgin Queen, the script by Mindret Lord and Harry Brown is leaden and dull – moving its characters like chess pieces about a board - and very boring - faux history. Originally, Lord and Brown had wanted to write a story, not about Elizabeth, but Sir Walter Raleigh. Davis’ involvement on the project necessitated a rethinking of that high concept, and hence, the film evolved along the lines of just another tailor-made costume drama to showcase the formidable girth of Bette Davis’ talents.

Interesting to reconsider Joan Collins in this one; the formally-trained actress, whose career would continue to suffer from a chronic case of rising damp throughout her formative, even what out to have been her golden period. Collins has, undeniably, always been good to look at; both an asset and a hindrance to those producers who could not get past the pretty face to recognize there was also one hell of a damn good actress lurking just beneath the façade. After signing with the Rank Organization in her native Britain, Collins appeared in many features, from her debut in Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951) to The Woman's Angle (1952) and Judgment Deferred (1952). Her big break, I Believe in You (1952), earned her the moniker of Britain’s ‘bad girl’ and ought to have paved the way for great success. Alas, Collins seemed to remain in place, appearing in more of the same, and occasionally, making waves only when appearing in questionable material, like England’s first X-certified drama, Cosh Boy (1953). She also marked her territory on the London stage – diversifying not only her portfolio, but also her craft. Then, in 1954, Hollywood took notice and Collins made her ‘American’ movie debut as the wicked Egyptian princess in Land of the Pharaohs. That performance so impressed 2oth Century-Fox chief, Darryl Zanuck he offered her a 7-year contract.  Alas, at Fox, Collins languished, the first sign of where her career trajectory was headed – The Virgin Queen.  

Our story opens with the arrival of Lord Leicester (Herbert Marshall) on foot at an inn after his carriage has become trapped in the mud. To the inn’s carousing patrons, Leicester offers a small purse of gold as remuneration if they will help him get on his way as quickly as possible. Sir Christopher Hatton (Robert Douglas) laughs off the suggestion. Why should he sully himself, even in service to the Queen? Sir Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd), however, takes heed of the proposition as a means of positioning himself within court. The ploy works. Raleigh meets Elizabeth and the two shares an initial intimacy, sparring remarks overheard by one of the Queen’s ladies in waiting - Beth Throgmorton (Joan Collins). Beth immediately catches Raleigh’s eye. However, recognizing his opportunistic streak, Beth discourages Raleigh’s advances. Raleigh next asks Elizabeth for three ships he will sail in her name to the new world for treasure. Unable to convince Elizabeth of the feasibility in his plan, Raleigh sulks off like a petulant child. However, Elizabeth’s loss is Beth’s gain.

A quite romance develops between Beth and Raleigh – a pas deux thwarted when Elizabeth has a sudden change of heart. She grants Raleigh his commission to build one ship to suit his own fashion and purpose – The Golden Falcon – which she also commands him to sail to the new world in England’s name. Driven by ego, Raleigh temporarily forsakes Beth to toil on the designs of his grand vessel with friend, Lord Derry (Dan O’Herlihy). Meanwhile, court spy, Chadwick (Jay Robinson) alerts the Queen of a cautious secret; Beth and Raleigh have not only become lovers, but have, in fact, married without her consent. Beth is currently with Raleigh’s child. Furious, Elizabeth orders Raleigh’s imprisonment as a traitor. Learning of Beth’s pregnancy too late, Raleigh instructs Lord Derry to flee with his wife into the Scottish Highlands. Captured on the road by Sir Christopher, Derry is killed in the resulting duel. Locked in the Tower of London, Raleigh faces certain death – more so after Elizabeth arrives to demand he repent for his sins against the crown only to discover he is more obstinate than ever. In reply, Elizabeth cannot bring herself to put Raleigh to death. Instead, she commands him to board the Golden Falcon with Beth and bring back to her the promised riches from the new world.

The Virgin Queen is a clunky melodrama, tricked out in Cinemascope. The inconsistencies between history and fact are many and transparent, beginning with Lord Leicester’s initial befriending of Raleigh at the inn. Lord Leicester was, in fact, Robert Dudley (played by Errol Flynn in 1939’s Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex) – the Queen’s great love during her youth whom she was forced to behead after Robert’s determination to rule England by marriage threatened Elizabeth’s own political safety. Compared to The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, The Virgin Queen is a restrained and subdued production. Its sets are less spectacular, though not perhaps its costumes. Davis is in fine voice and temperament as Elizabeth – pouring out equal portions of womanly contempt and authoritarian command. Richard Todd makes a valiant enough Raleigh, though he is not the man of history as much as he has been forced into a romantic mold for women who fancy their heroes in tights and a cod piece. In the final analysis, The Virgin Queen is second-tier entertainment; just another period drama from a vintage when such offerings were plentiful. Fox Home Video’s DVD exhibits rather appealing visuals. Colors are rich, bold and vibrant. Flesh tones are a tad pasty at times. Fine details are generally realized, though image sharpness is often less than stellar. Age-related artifacts are absent. The audio is 5.1 Dolby Digital, a re-purporse or the original 6-track stereo. Dialogue is directionalized. Music cues have a very nice spread. Extras include an isolated music track and ‘making of’ featurette. Bottom line: for Bette Davis’ completionists only.

FILM RATING (out of 5 - 5 being the best)

3

VIDEO/AUDIO

3.5

EXTRAS

1