"THE KING'S SPEECH" MOVIE

Four Kings of England: Edward VII (R), George V (L), Edward VIII(Boy Front) and George VI (Boy Rear)

H.M. King George VI King and Emperor

1927 CANBERRA Opening of Parliament House -The Duke of York( future George VI) takes the Salute, the Duchess( future Queen Elizabeth) by his side and Dame Nellie Melba, who sang "" God Save the King"stands with them.

The real Lionel Logue much more handsome than his actor representative.

"The King's Speech" has been critically acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic.It brings to life the real life agony of Prince Albert Duke of York, who suffered a terrible stutter.

While the story commences in the U,K, in the appalling trial of a public speech before thousands, The Duke's troubles were well in evidence back in 1927 when duty brought him and his lovely wife to Australia for the opening of the then new ( now the Old) Parliament House. The Duke's entourage were well aware of his problem. When it became known that the Australian Government intended to film the entire proceedings a furore erupted. Urgent phone calls went through to the Australian Prime Minister insisting that this filming MUST NOT HAPPEN. 

The Prime Minister Stanley Bruce was taken aback, but insisted that the event was of such a historic nature that it MUST be filmed. Finally it was agreed that the filming of the actual opening would Stop whilst the Duke spoke, and resume thereafter.

The film shows the fundamental role of Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue in correcting the Duke and future King's problem.The real Lionel Logue was quite dashingly handsome as opposed to Geoffrey Rush the Actor. Nevertheless, Rush's performance is brilliant.

What comes out in the film is the VERY distant role of the Duke of York's parents King George V and Queen Mary in the raising of their children and the cruel treatment Prince Albert received at the hands of his Nanny who would deliberately get him into trouble and then administer the harsh punishment decreed for his "offence". There was no appeal to his parents who might have lived in another world.He was made to "correct"his natural left-handedness and to wear wooden splints to correct his knock knees. Pinched, abused physically and psychologically , it is little wonder that he came to stutter.

The parental neglect is highlighted in another film "The Lost Prince".Directed by the brilliant David Poliakoff it is a tour de force -each of his films is a joy to experience.It tells the story of King GeorgeV and Queen Mary's youngest son, Prince John who had the misfortune to be an epileptic. Of course this would never do for a member of the Royal Family. He was kept out of view , further and further out of view as he grew until his premature death. The real shame in this situation was not Prince John's, but his parents 'cold and un Christian attitude to their very own flesh and blood. No wonder Bertie ( the future George VI) and Johnnie were very close. That poor little disregarded innocent Prince was a victim of great parental neglect.The fact of that neglect only serves to underline the simultaneous abuse of Bertie himself.What horrors were perpetrated just out of the public gaze.

Don't miss "The King's Speech"and get hold of "The Lost Prince"on DVD ( or any David Poliakoff film - for a rare treat.)

And we wonder why Charles is such a muddle-headed wombat!