Young Bess (1953)

Young Bess - 1953

Our next film is 1953's "Young Bess", a highly fictionalized account of the love triangle between the future Queen Elizabeth I of England, Thomas Seymour, and Queen Catherine Parr.

The film's cast includes Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Charles Laughton, Kay Walsh, Guy Rolfe, Kathleen Byron, Cecil Kellaway, Leo G. Carroll, Norma Varden, and Ann Tyrrell.

We begin with the story of Elizabeth's birth and how she was born during the perilous time when her father was desperately seeking a male heir.

In 1558, Elizabeth's governess Mrs. Ashley speaks with Elizabeth's comptroller, Mr. Parry.  She brings him the news that Queen Mary I is dying, and that before the dawn breaks, Elizabeth will be England's next monarch.  The two celebrate and reflect on "Bess's" story.

Her father, Henry VIII, was initially proud of his daughter, but didn't like the way she scowled at him.  "Now, don’t scowl at me like that.  Why don’t you laugh like your mother?  Hmm?  That’s the way to win people’s hearts," says Henry.

But as Mrs. Ashley says, "But Anne Boleyn laughed once too often and with the wrong people.  She took three lovers with her.  Old Harry did things in a big way."  Bess was destined to not know a mother's love.  It seems every time her father married and Bess was getting to know her stepmother, they were done away with.

So, naturally, when Henry marries for the sixth time and Bess (who has been decreed illegitimate) is invited back to court to meet the new queen, she refuses.

Thomas Seymour, the Lord Admiral, is sent to collect her.  Initially rebuffed by her, he turns on the charm and Bess falls under his spell.  When he sings the new queen's praises, she agrees to return to London with him.

The new queen, Catherine Parr, warmly embraces Bess as a daughter, and strives to give Henry and his children and normal family life.  Bess grows to love her new stepmother dearly.

Her father's will of iron is only matched by her own.  Bess continually stands up to him.  He is perturbed, but he sees something of himself in Bess.  Nonetheless, he cautions her not to make him angry.  "Last night I made you legitimate again out of the kindness of my heart.  My big, fat heart.  The doctor says it’ll kill me one day.  He’s in the Tower reconsidering the diagnosis."

Just as Bess is getting used to her new family life, Henry VIII dies.  Bess stands with her brother and sister as the King passes away.

Happily for Bess, she is invited to live with Queen Catherine.  One of the queen's callers is Thomas Seymour, who wants to marry her, but dares not without the new king's permission.  Bess watches "Tom" from a distance and even envies her stepmother, wishing Tom was wooing her instead.

In order to keep Tom near, Bess uses her influence with the king to get him to agree to Catherine and Tom's marriage.  They are overjoyed and thank her from the bottom of their hearts for intervening.  Happy that Tom will be near, Bess is still sad that he isn't marrying her.

Tom and Bess spend a lot of time together and develop a close relationship.  As Lord Admiral, he takes her sailing with him, and the two talk about things they have in common.

Queen Catherine is advised of their closeness, but she dismisses it as innocent and that the two are just good friends.

During a dinner at court where a Danish royal is pursing an alliance with Bess, Tom makes it known to the young king that he isn't happy about the presumed marriage.  He casts a jealous eye on Bess and her partner as they dance that evening.

Unable to conquer his jealousy, Tom kisses Bess while seeing her home that night.

Queen Catherine now realizes the truth about Tom and Bess's feelings for each other.  She asks Bess to make a choice.  Giving way to the queen's feelings, Bess decides to leave and return to her own establishment.

Shortly afterwards, Catherine dies, and Tom is sent on naval maneuvers.  When he returns after a long absence, he heads straight to Bess and the two renew their feelings for each other.

Unfortunately for Tom, his brother the Lord Protector fears Tom's ambition and influence over the king, and he has him arrested for treason.  Tom is eventually beheaded.

Even though Bess testified in his defense at his trial, it wasn't enough to save him.  Bess leaves court and returns to her own home.  Her governess Mrs. Ashley says, "She never mentions his name.  That’s why I know that in her heart he’s still alive."

Back in the present, the dawn breaks and Bess is now queen.  After embracing her old governess, Bess steps out onto the balcony to acknowledge the crowds that have come to greet her.  She rules England as Queen Elizabeth I, and never takes a husband.

Cast rundown:

   Jean Simmons...............................Queen Elizabeth I "Bess"

   Stewart Granger.............................Thomas Seymour

   Deborah Kerr.................................Queen Catherine

   Charles Laughton...........................King Henry VIII

   Kay Walsh.....................................Mrs. Ashley

   Guy Rolfe......................................Ned Seymour

   Kathleen Byron...............................Ann Seymour

   Cecil Kellaway.................................Mr. Parry

   Rex Thompson...............................King Edward VI

   Leo G. Carroll.................................Mr. Mums

   Norma Varden................................Lady Tyrwhitt

   Ann Tyrrell.....................................Queen Mary I

And that's it for Young Bess.  As I said earlier, this is a highly fictionalized version of the account of Bess's early life.  She definitely had a flirtation with Tom Seymour, and it was a bit imprudent.  However, it was never pronounced to the degree in which it was portrayed in the film.  Elizabeth I was extremely sorry to have caused Queen Catherine any heartache, and she apologized profusely for her behavior when she was sent away.

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