The Real Thing at Last
Encyclopedia
The Real Thing at Last is a satirical
silent movie
based on the play Macbeth
. It was written in 1916 by Peter Pan
creator and playwright J. M. Barrie
as a parody of the American film industry. The film was made in response to news that American filmmakers intended to honor the 300th anniversary of William Shakespeare
's death, and presents itself as a crass example of how they would adapt the classic play.
The film featured several popular British stage actors of the period, and served as the film debuts of Edmund Gwenn
, Marie Lohr
, Ernest Thesiger
, and Frederick Kerr
. It was presented at a benefit for the YMCA
, attended by Queen Mary
, Princess Mary
, and Prince Albert
(later King George VI).
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
silent movie
Silent Movie
Silent Movie is a 1976 satirical comedy film co-written, directed by, and starring Mel Brooks, and released by 20th Century Fox on June 17, 1976...
based on the play Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
. It was written in 1916 by Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
creator and playwright J. M. Barrie
J. M. Barrie
Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, OM was a Scottish author and dramatist, best remembered today as the creator of Peter Pan. The child of a family of small-town weavers, he was educated in Scotland. He moved to London, where he developed a career as a novelist and playwright...
as a parody of the American film industry. The film was made in response to news that American filmmakers intended to honor the 300th anniversary of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's death, and presents itself as a crass example of how they would adapt the classic play.
The film featured several popular British stage actors of the period, and served as the film debuts of Edmund Gwenn
Edmund Gwenn
Edmund Gwenn was an English theatre and film actor.-Background:Born Edmund John Kellaway in Wandsworth, London , and educated at St. Olave's School and later at King's College London, Gwenn began his acting career in the theatre in 1895...
, Marie Lohr
Marie Lohr
Marie Lohr was an Australian film and stage actress.-Biography:Marie Löhr was born in Sydney to Lewis J. Löhr, treasurer of the Melbourne opera house, and his wife, the English actress Kate Bishop...
, Ernest Thesiger
Ernest Thesiger
Ernest Frederic Graham Thesiger CBE was an English stage and film actor. He is best known for his performance as Dr...
, and Frederick Kerr
Frederick Kerr
Frederick Kerr was a British actor who appeared on stage in both New York City and London, and in British and American films; he also worked as a major theatrical manager in London.-Early life:...
. It was presented at a benefit for the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, attended by Queen Mary
Mary of Teck
Mary of Teck was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, as the wife of King-Emperor George V....
, Princess Mary
Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood
The Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood was a member of the British Royal Family; she was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the sixth holder of the title of Princess Royal...
, and Prince Albert
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
(later King George VI).
Synopsis
American film producer Rupert K. Thunder (Edmund Gwenn) hosted the film live. The movie loosely follows the plot of the play, with comically melodramatic embellishments.Cast
- Edmund GwennEdmund GwennEdmund Gwenn was an English theatre and film actor.-Background:Born Edmund John Kellaway in Wandsworth, London , and educated at St. Olave's School and later at King's College London, Gwenn began his acting career in the theatre in 1895...
- Rupert K. Thunder (live host) - Nelson KeysNelson Keys-Selected filmography:* Mumsie * Madame Pompadour * The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel * Almost a Divorce * In the Soup * Wake Up Famous -External links:...
- Lady MacbethLady MacbethLady Macbeth may refer to:*Lady Macbeth, from William Shakespeare's play Macbeth**Queen Gruoch of Scotland, the real-life Queen on whom Shakespeare based the character... - Godfrey TearleGodfrey TearleSir Godfrey Seymour Tearle was a British actor who portrayed the quintessential Englishman on stage and in both English and US films.-Biography:...
- MacduffMacduff (thane)Macduff, the Thane of Fife, is a character in William Shakespeare's Macbeth . Macduff plays a pivotal role in the play: he suspects Macbeth of regicide and eventually kills Macbeth in the final act... - Owen NaresOwen NaresOwen Ramsay Nares had a long stage and film career and, for most of the 1920s, was Britain's favourite matinée idol and silent film star...
- General BanquoBanquoBanquo is a character in William Shakespeare's 1606 play Macbeth. In the play, he is at first an ally to Macbeth and they are together when they meet the Three Witches. After prophesying that Macbeth will become king, the witches tell Banquo that he will not be king himself, but that his... - Norman Forbes - DuncanKing DuncanKing Duncan is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Macbeth. He is the father of two youthful sons , and the victim of a well-plotted regicide in a power grab by his trusted captain Macbeth...
- Caleb Porter - Witch
- George Kelly - Witch
- Ernest ThesigerErnest ThesigerErnest Frederic Graham Thesiger CBE was an English stage and film actor. He is best known for his performance as Dr...
- Witch - Gladys CooperGladys CooperDame Gladys Constance Cooper, DBE was an English actress whose career spanned seven decades on stage, in films and on television....
- American Witch - Teddie GerardTeddie GerardTeddie Gerard was an Argentine film actress and entertainer of the early 20th century. Her real name was Teresa Cabre. She was born in Buenos Aires.-Actress, Dancer, and Singer:...
- American Witch - Pauline ChasePauline ChasePauline Chase was an American actress who performed on the stage in both the United States and the United Kingdom. She is known for her extended run in the title role of British productions of Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up.-Biography:She was born Ellen Pauline Matthew Bliss in...
- American Witch - Frederick VolpeFrederick Volpe-Selected filmography:* The Labour Leader * The Adventures of Mr. Pickwick * Lord Richard in the Pantry * The Middle Watch * Bed and Breakfast...
- Murderer - Moya Mannering - Messenger
- A.E. Matthews - Murdered
- Marie LohrMarie LohrMarie Lohr was an Australian film and stage actress.-Biography:Marie Löhr was born in Sydney to Lewis J. Löhr, treasurer of the Melbourne opera house, and his wife, the English actress Kate Bishop...
- Murdered - Frederick KerrFrederick KerrFrederick Kerr was a British actor who appeared on stage in both New York City and London, and in British and American films; he also worked as a major theatrical manager in London.-Early life:...
- Murdered - Irene VanbrughIrene VanbrughDame Irene Vanbrugh DBE , née Barnes, was an English actress. The daughter of a clergyman, Vanbrugh followed her elder sister Violet into the theatrical profession, and sustained a career for more than 50 years....
- Lady - Eva Rowland - Lady
- Arthur ShirleyArthur ShirleyArthur Shirley was an Australian actor and film producer.Born Henry Raymond Shirley in Hobart to civil servant Henry Shirley and Sarah Ann, née Morton, he was baptised Arthur and attended Catholic schools. He then worked for Tattersall's Lottery and as a junior solicitor's clerk before moving to...
- Courtier - Leslie HensonLeslie HensonLeslie Lincoln Henson was an English comedian, actor, producer for films and theatre, and film director. He initially worked in silent films and Edwardian musical comedy and became a popular music hall comedian who enjoyed a long stage career...
- Charlie ChaplinCharlie ChaplinSir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...