Film: Rare Cinema Europe presents Les Perles de la Couronne (The Pearls of the Crown) (1937)

A chance to see a selection of rarely screened fine European films. Les Perles de la couronne (The Pearls of the Crown), (France / 1937 /118 mins). Directed by Sacha Guitry and starring Sacha Guitry, Jacqueline Delubac and Lyn Harding.

This frothy French concoction finds writer/director Sacha Guitry playing no less than four roles. Tracing the history of seven valuable pearls of the English Crown from the time of Henry VIII of England to the present day (1937), writer Jean Martin (Sacha Guitry) attempts to track down three of the missing pearls by tracing their previous owners, with events seen in flashback, involving Napoleon, King Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England amongst others.

Guitry is supported by a stella cast of international actors who, innovatively, speak their own language. Among the many cameo appearances are Arletty (outrageously blacked up as the Queen of Abyssinia), Jean-Louis Barrault as Young Bonaparte, Jacqueline Delubac as both Mary Queen of Scots and Empress Josephine, Ermete Zacconi as a crafty Pope Clement VII, and Lyn Harding energetically channelling Charles Laughton as Henry VIII. The impressive sets and costumes, photographed by cinematographer Jules Kruger (best known for Abel Gance’s Napoleon), help make The Pearls of the Crown one of Guitry’s finest works.

Doors open at 18.30, for a 19.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.