Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1953)

122 ' THIS SCEPTRED ISLE r r From cottage to cathedral, Great Britain beckons warmly to the wandering filmer G. H. HESKETH, ARPS FRAMED IN FOLIAGE is the simple Elizabethan cottage of Anne Hathaway, a landmark in Stratford-upon-Avon country. DARK AND DOMINANT is ancient Harlech Castle, standing its guard at the northern end of Cardigan Bay, in Wales. ANCIENT is proud EDINBURGH, of its Princes ens of the North, and Royal Mile. BRITAIN'S most splendid attraction for overseas visitors this year is, of course, the Coronation of our beloved young Queen, Elizabeth II — about which you read in this journal last month. You should remember, however, that 1953 will be a year of national rejoicing and colorful display throughout the United Kingdom. Which leads me to suggest that all who come here from overseas — either before, during or after the celebrations in the capital — should take back with them movie records of other places in England, Scotland and Wales, particularly those linked by history with the stirring times of the first Elizabethan era. ENVIRONS OF LONDON Before turning northwards take a look at Canterbury, in Kent, the famous ecclesiastical city where stands the cathedral church of the Archbishop who is to crown the new Queen. In 1573, Elizabeth I visited the Archbishop's palace on the occasion of her fortieth birthday. To the west of London, along the River Thames, is Hampton Court Palace, a magnificent Tudor building in red brickwork, built by order of the great Cardinal Wolsey and presented by him to King Henry VIII, the father of the first Elizabeth. This palace was one of her favorite homes. A special feature is the splendid and colorful garden there. Further along, Windsor Castle stands on a hill looking over the river. This castle has been one of the homes of kings and queens of England for well over 800 years. Here again are beautiful terraces and gardens, just the subject for color film. On the opposite side of the river, quite near to Windsor, there is Eton College, perhaps the best known of the British public schools. Shots on the famous playing fields could show some of the boys in their traditional top hats and formal Eton suits, as well as those who are dressed for games. Then, from college to university — at Oxford, the "City of Spires." Here the fine buildings which constitute the University were erected 400 to 500 years ago, and here there are many links with American history. Among men who were students at Oxford are William Penn, Richard Hakluyt, Edwin Sandys and Captain John Mason. A film featuring Oxford should not overlook lively shots of the River Isis, where the college boating crews are frequently seen racing and practising. THE SHAKESPEARE COUNTRY Between Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon lies part of the range of Cotswold Hills, where you will find perfect English villages such as Burford, Chipping Camden, and Broadway. (For more detail about this part of the country, see This Other Eden, in Movie Makers of August, 1947). While in this district you could see, at Woodstock, the Duke of Marlborough's Blenheim Palace, where the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, was born. Another well known birthplace — perhaps the most famous in England— is that of William Shakespeare, at Stratford-upon-Avon. This town has a wide variety of connections with the time of Elizabeth I, and many well preserved examples of the architecture of that period. A typical one is the cottage of Anne Hathaway, who became Shakespeare's wife. The lovely River Avon flows peacefully past the town, by the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, which was built partly by subscriptions sent by American friends. To the north of Stratford, beyond Warwick, is the ruin of Kenilworth Castle, which is well worth some movie shots. This castle was visited by Elizabeth I and by John of Gaunt, whose speech (in Shakespeare's King Richard II) contains the quotation used for the title of this article.