A Story of Nell Gwynne

Professional film drama of the story of Nell Gwyn and Charles II.

Scenes from a professional film distributed on 9.5mm with notched intertitles. King Charles II carries two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels under each arm. Close up of Nell Gwyn standing behind a wall laughing as King Charles and Sir Christopher Wren struggle to hold the two dogs. King Charles walks over and kisses Nell Gwyn’s hand. A little boy plays with a shuttlecock and tennis racket in the garden. He hits the shuttlecock over to where King Charles is standing. Another woman stands next to Nell behind the wall. Two older soldiers in uniform sit on either side of a tree. King Charles, Nell and another man and woman hit the shuttlecock back and forth over the wall. The man holding the two spaniels gets hit on the head by the shuttlecock. The soldiers stand up and discuss something. They walk over to Nell and her friend and walk into the garden that Nell is in. They all sit down on seats in the garden and drink tea. King Charles and his friend walk into a room and hands a man three dogs which he struggles to carry. Shot of Nell’s tea party in the garden. Meanwhile, King Charles and his friend continue to talk. The two soldiers explain to Nell that they are homeless. Nell offers to help them by talking to King Charles. Scene in the King’s Chambers where Nell talks to Sir Stephen Fox, the warm-hearted Paymaster General, and offers to help with his schemes. Meanwhile, the King is playing a board game. Close up of someone stroking the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The King laughs with another woman whilst playing the game and Nell watches angrily. Sir Stephen Fox talks to King Charles but returns to Nell shaking his head. Nell Gwyn sits in a chair in the living room with the Sir Stephen Fox and his assistant on either side of her. Nell hurries them both out of the room and waves a handkerchief out of the window as a signal. King Charles enters the room and bows to her. Shot of Sir Stephen Fox listening outside the room. King Charles and Nell sit together and he kisses her hand. The two soldiers talk to a boy outside the window so the King can hear. One of them explains how he lost his leg fighting in a war and the other lost an arm. The King calls for Sir Stephen Fox who advises him that even though he has no money, he could use his land to build a hospital for old soldiers. A man comes in with some plans for the Royal Chelsea Hospital and shows the King. King Charles bursts out laughing and falls into a chair. Sir Christopher Wren lays aside the plans for St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Exchange and sets to work on planning the Royal Chelsea Hospital. Shot of the hospital followed by a group of uniformed veterans looking at the camera. The end scene is Sir Christopher Wren suddenly having an idea and hurrying to make plans for the hospital.

Featured Buildings

St. Paul’s Cathedral; Royal Exchange; Royal Chelsea Hospital

Keywords

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; Costumes; King Charles II; Nell Gwyn;

Intertitles

Sir Christopher Wren. The great architect... Fred Rains. Nell Gwyn, the actress, who has laughed her way into the King's susceptible heart. Nell Gwyn......Sylvia Caine. "Ay, Sir Christopher. I think they are high enough!" "We were starving, and in rags, madam, until the generous Sir Stephen Fox clothed us at his own expense. We are still homeless and destitute." "I will see that the King's heart is touched by your sufferings." Nell Gwyn offers to help Sir Stephen Fox, the warm-hearted Paymaster General, in his schemes. "This is the right moment to plead for the old soldiers." "Trust Nell to see that the 'right moment' arrives to win Charles to our scheme!" Nell Gwyn 'arranges' the right moment to carry out her promise. "I lost my leg fighting fr England, when your royal father was not here to protect this realm." "I lost my arm at the Battle of Naseby, fighting for Your Grave's grandfather, King Charles I of blessed memory." "It is true, your Majesty has no money- but you have twenty-eight acres in Chelsea most suitable for an old soldiers hospital!" "Does your Majesty approve this rough design for a Royal Chelsea Hospital?" And so Sir Christopher Wren laid aside the plans of St.Paul's Cathedral..... .....The plans of the Royal Exchange... And in Chelsea today, the names of Charles II, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Christopher Wren, and sweet Nell Gwyn, are held in loving memory by the veteran warriors of England. .....and he set to work on planning the Royal Chelsea Hospital

Other Places

Chelsea

Background Information

Ninth release in 'The Romance of British History' series of historical dramas