...in the title role of this historical drama. She plays the infamous actress/courtesan attached to Charles II (Cedric Hardwicke), a player who takes London society and the royal court by storm but never loses her common roots. Neagle is mainly remembered for a series of lady-like portrayals in a series of romantic dramas and musicals (often with Michael Wilding) that just didn't show a wide range even though they were highly entertaining. But here, at age 30, she busts loose and gives a great performance that zeroes in on the bawdy humor and also includes singing and dancing. Simply marvelous.
Her main nemesis is the Duchess of Portsmouth (Jean De Casalis), and their exchanges are hilarious, culminating in Nell's stage act that shames the ambitious French woman. I've always admired Neagle for her dramatic roles as Queen Victoria and Edith Cavell as well as her 40s musicals with Wilding, but the role of Nell Gwyn is nothing like her others. It's truly good stuff.
Her main nemesis is the Duchess of Portsmouth (Jean De Casalis), and their exchanges are hilarious, culminating in Nell's stage act that shames the ambitious French woman. I've always admired Neagle for her dramatic roles as Queen Victoria and Edith Cavell as well as her 40s musicals with Wilding, but the role of Nell Gwyn is nothing like her others. It's truly good stuff.