Mrs Henderson Presents (DVD)

...Windmill Street near Piccadilly Circus, Mrs Laura Henderson employs staff to run it, in particular Mr Vivian Van Damm who is not intimidated by his new boss, he manages, writes and produces the variety shows for the theatre. At first it is a big success, but other theatres start to copy their ideas, and they begin to lose money when audiences flag.

Mrs Henderson suggests boldly "We've had some good shows, but they're not daring ...
...MAIN CHARACTERS:

Mrs Laura Henderson - A recently widowed woman, who uses her money to invest in a London theatre. Naming it 'The Windmill' she wants to be involved in everything from the re-designing of the interior to the private lives of the theatres stars! We see this character form a volatile relationship with the theatre producer, yet although they clash, they do have a mutual respect for each other. Mrs Henderson reasons that ... more

I have wanted to see this comedy/ drama since it came out earlier this year. I enjoy films with a musical thread, and the fact that it was about events that did actually occur interested me immensely. Therefore when I was given a chance to choose a film to rent I jumped at the chance to see this one.

THE STORY:

This is the true story of a wealthy widow, bored with the usual activities expected of respectable older ladies in London in the 1930s. After buying an old theatre (with much of its facilities underground) in London's Windmill Street near Piccadilly Circus, Mrs Laura Henderson employs staff to run it, in particular Mr Vivian Van Damm who is not intimidated by his new boss, he manages, writes and produces the variety shows for the theatre. At first it is a big success, but other theatres start to copy their ideas, and they begin to lose money when audiences flag.

Mrs Henderson suggests boldly "We've had some good shows, but they're not daring enough. Let's get rid of the clothes". as they do in the more liberated capitals of the world, such as Paris. However the licensing regulations stipulate that the only acceptable way to get round the 'red tape' would be for the naked girls to pose without moving at all, while the dressed members of the cast perform the songs and dances. Artistic 'tableau's' are featured tastefully in discrete lighting, and this brings new wealth into the theatre.

The story continues into the 1940s with war breaking out, and we see the way audiences change, the fashion and make up changes, and in turn the shows change. The theatre has non-stop shows five times a day, and prides itself on the fact that it never closed. Being below ground level, many of the girls move in, and stay there throughout the inevitable bombings.

MAIN CAST

Judi Dench - Mrs. Laura Henderson
Bob Hoskins - Vivian Van Damm
Will Young - Bertie
Kelly Reilly - Maureen
Christopher Guest - Lord Cromer
Thelma Barlow - Lady Conway

THE MAIN CHARACTERS:

Mrs Laura Henderson - A recently widowed woman, who uses her money to invest in a London theatre. Naming it 'The Windmill' she wants to be involved in everything from the re-designing of the interior to the private lives of the theatres stars! We see this character form a volatile relationship with the theatre producer, yet although they clash, they do have a mutual respect for each other. Mrs Henderson reasons that a young man going to war should at least see a naked female form before he departs!

Laura Henderson - "I am bored with widowhood. I have to smile at everyone. I never had to smile at everyone before. In India, there were always people to look down upon."

Mr Vivian Van Damm - Very confident, though unemployed, he becomes the theatres writer/ casting director and producer. He devises a series of artistic nude tableau's, with themes of Mermaids, Indians, and well known historic scenes. The girls treat him like a father figure. Mrs Henderson is shocked to learn that he is a married man, as he doesn't divulge this information to her until he introduces his wife on opening night.

Vivian Van Damm - "What you are suggesting isn't possible. That kind of thing isn't done here. Nudity? In England?"

Bertie - A camp young singer, who turns up to watch the auditions at the theatre. Known to Van Damm who smiles at him, he goes on to provide the male element in a show featuring mainly women. Bertie is a genuinely nice young man.

Laura Henderson: "Do you find these women attractive?"
Bertie: "Some of them are very pretty."
Laura Henderson: "Oh yes, I can certainly see that, but do they intrigue you as a man?"
Bertie: "Ah... I have other inclinations."
Laura Henderson: "Oh... OH! How delicious!"

Maureen - A young English beauty enters the picture after she is driven off the road by Van Damm and Bertie while riding her bicycle, and she ends up in the canal. Bertie jumps in and drags her out, and Vann Damm sees his 'star'. Maureen becomes the main nude, on the stage, she is told that it is artistic, that it is not sordid by any means, and that she will be well looked after. To a certain degree she is manipulated, but the situation works both ways and the job means she has a roof over her head with a new and very close knit family in the theatre.

THE ACTORS:

Dame Judy Dench - Gave a really good performance as would be expected from this veteran actor. The classy humour that she injects is priceless. Nothing daunts her, and she is unafraid of becoming the part she portrays.

Bob Hoskins - Another classy performance, of a well mannered businessman, he is confident in the part, and is a good co-star for Dench, who you feel have great respect for each others talent. I like the way he portrays the character of Van Damm without letting go and losing the 'proper' English language.

Will Young - I was most interested to see how this singer fared in his first film roll. I was pleased with his performance although apart from the different era portrayed, I don't think it was too much of a stretch for his abilities (playing a young gay singer!) I think he danced well where necessary, and was very well suited to the part of Bertie, in fact it looked like the roll was built around him and not the other way round! His voice is very good, and therefore not hard to listen to.

Kelly Reilly - Is cast well in this role, she contributes the English beauty element, the 'chocolate box' appeal, and does it with class. I am not familiar with this actress but she has been in several films, and I am sure will be seen much more in the future.

THE MUSIC:

I thought the songs and music was good music hall material, although I did not find them particularly memorable, therefore I am not listing the musical tracks here. One song 'Goody Goody' by Benny Goodman was used more than once, and made a connection with the changing times of the theatre. Maybe with more viewings of this film the songs would become more recognisable and therefore more enjoyable. The soundtrack is available on CD.

DVD EXTRAS/ SPECIAL FEATURES:

1. THE MAKING OF - This is a really interesting short film. Firstly we see interviews with Director Stephen Frears, the Producer Norma Hayman and Executive Producer Bob Hoskins.

Secondly we learn about the true history of THE WINDMILL THEATRE. We meet a few original 'Windmill Girls' apparently proud that they can still do the splits etc and we hear their stories! They tell what it was like to be involved in this theatre that opened the door apparently for the future English National Ballet.

This short film also has more interviews with the cast, we learn how they got on together and were chosen for the parts. We see the 'authentic look' they were after - girls not too skinny who could be adapted to look authentic for the 30s and 40s. The sets are discussed and we see where the ideas come from i.e. Hollywood and Moulin Rouge but adapted to the limits of London. We meet the choreographers and hear how the cast were to work with, I found this interesting, especially hearing how Will Young got on, and seeing him fool about in the background. He looks like he had a marvellous time filming.

2. PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY: A series of stills taken from the film.

3. THEATRICAL TRAILER - What you would expect to see to tempt you to want to see more.

4. TV SPOTS - More trailers! My son actually turned round from his pc, and requested that I stop repeating everything!

5. DIRECTORS COMMENTARY ON/OFF - A facility I rarely, if ever use.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Originally released - December 2005
Rating - 12
Some nudity and 'sensitive' language!
Run time - 103 minutes
Production Company - Pathe International
Price - Tescos.com £7.97

MY OPINIONS:

I did enjoyed this film, I wouldn't say it is groundbreaking or brilliant, but on the flip side it is neither poor or badly acted. I found it more interesting the second time, after seeing the special features and reading up on the history of this theatre. I feel that the film has been very closely written to portray events that truly happened, including snippets of information that is available about the way the shows were performed non-stop. I laughed in the film when people scrambled over their seats at the end of a performance to get a seat closer to the front. I have read that this did in fact happen!

If you are expecting another Moulin Rouge this will fail to live up to expectation, but taken as a piece of British history, it brings to life the way of life of the people who were a part of this London theatre's life. Very colourful, it is generally a nice, feel-good film!

FOR MORE INFORMATION (INCLUDING A TRAILER)VISIT:

http://www.mrshendersonpresentsmovie.co.uk/

AND FINALLY:

In reality Mrs Henderson died in 1944 at the age of 84. She left the theatre to Van Damm, who did continue their work. Many british comedians that we are familiar with passed through this theatre, and when Van Damm died in 1960 it went to his daughter Sheila. The theatre closed in 1964. It opened again sporadically, until the 1980s for a variety of shows/ uses.

"The show must go on, but the clothes must come off."

 

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