|| Film research ||

• The private lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

Director: Michael Curtiz

Make Up Artist: Perc Westmore 

"This period drama looks at the affair of Queen Elizabeth and the man who would be the King of England- Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex. Middle-aged Elizabeth, so attracted to the younger Devereux but fearful of his influence, sends him on a mission to Ireland. When Robert and his troops return- Devereux demands to share the throne. Elizabeth does everything to protect it. "

Bette as Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth is played by Bette Davis who has been nicknamed 'The first lady of film'. In 1935, she received an Oscar for her role in Dangerous (1935) as Joyce Heath. 

We can see that Davis treated this role very seriously as she allowed the make up artists  to shave her hairline off, to create the effect of a higher forehead. To emphasise the look, she got her eyebrows bleached also. This was a big deal as she was known for her amazing, big eyes. Another thing that is also present is the fact that she is wearing a red hair wig, which completes the Elizabethan look and makes it very authentic. Also, the way she is posing and showing her hands a lot. Elizabeth used to love her hands and Bette definitely was able to show that well.  

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031826/

• Elizabeth (1997)

Director: Shekhar Kapur 

Make Up Artist: Anita Burger 

Make Up Designer: Jenny Shircore 

*won an Oscar for make up in Elizabeth!

This film is about the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a Queen. 

The main character is played by Cate Blanchett, who looked like the ideal Elizabethan beauty in a very natural way. The hair was still red, but was kept looking very natural... It was usually down which was meant to signify purity. The eyebrows were of course bleached to lengthen the forehead. As the film went on, we started seeing more hairstyles which reflects what has really happened in Elizabeth's life as she had pox and her hair simply fell out. Then, she began wearing wigs. This became a new trend and wigs came into fashion. 

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0127536/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

• Fire Over England (1937)

Director: William K. Howard
Make Up artist: 

"Queen Elizabeth is running this show. The men in her court should be thinking about how to add to the glory of the Elizabethan Age and how to foil those pesky Spanish who got far too much influence in England when her older sister Mary was on the throne after their father Henry VIII was succeeded by their sickly half brother. Elizabeth thinks Michael Ingolby can do great things. Michael is mostly thinking about one of Elizabeth's ladies in waiting, Cynthia. Soon his mind is on survival when Elizabeth sends him on a voyage to Spain."

http://www.themakeupgallery.info/
images/racial/afro/saratoga1.jpg

The main character here is played by Flora Robson who was named the shining ornament of the 30's and 40's silver screen. 

Although not a huge beauty herself, she did represent the idea of Elizabethan beauty well in my opinion. She had all of the attributes that Queen Elizabeth had. The red haired wig, high forehead and lots of jewellery. However, I have noticed that while watching this film, she acted a lot more 'tougher' then all of the other actresses which I have talked about above. This gave me a different vision of Elizabeth, but maybe that is the way she was? Unbreakable, confident and strict. 

Source: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0733460/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

• The Virgin Queen (1955) 

Director: Henry Koster 

Make Up Artist: Perc Westmore 

"Sir Walter Raleigh gains audience with Queen Elizabeth I and soon wins her over to his way of thinking. He wants ships to sail and make a name for England. A young ward of the court, Beth Throgmorton, is strongly attracted to Raleigh and returns the attraction. But soon the Queen shows her desires and he bends in order to achieve his goal of ships. But still he loves Beth."

The main character in this film, is played by Bette Davis (who also played Elizabeth in The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex). However, this film was a lot more effective as Bette was a lot older naturally while shooting. Therefore the authenticity of this film went up, and I definitely found it more real in a way.  

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048791/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt