A Victorian Comedy
In his time Sir Edwin Landseer was the best-loved artist in England, courted by the aristocracy and a favourite of Queen Victoria herself, whose pets are pictured above. Reproductions of his animal pictures, like 'The Stag at Bay' and 'The Monarch of the Glen ' hung in thousands of living rooms and his monumental lions still lie at the foot of Nelson's column. He was a Victorian success story, yet he died in 1873 an alcoholic and, some said, insane.
In this Omnibus film Landseer's life and times are re-created through the entertainments at a weekend house party in a country mansion, with performing animals, music and dancing, and the popular form of amateur theatricals - ' tableaux vivants'.
Guest of honour RODNEY CARDIFF
With ELISSE RELNAH, PAUL HANCOCK LOIS AND VICTORIA MATTHEWS
Landseer's letters read by Ian Holm Other readings by JOHN FRANKLYN-ROBBINS
ELIZABETH PROUD, JEREMY CLYDE
Costume designer VALERIE SPOONER Make-up supervisor PAULINE cox Designer DON HOMFRAY
Film cameraman JOHN HOOPER Film editor ARDAN FISHER Director LESLIE MEGAHEY Brookes On....page 73