BBB.5
(out of 5)
Ronald Colman plays a ruffian poet living in Louis XI’s France who keeps getting into trouble with the law. Criminal behaviour is a particular problem in Paris at this point as the city is surrounded by invading Burgundians who are cutting off the city’s supplies for food. After being arrested for raiding the imperial stores, Colman engages in a battle of wits that sees the dotty monarch (Basil Rathbone) propose a challenge: let the devilish rogue prove that he can clean up the city and solve the problem of the enemies at the gate within one week or else forfeit his life. Colman and his moustache were tailor-made for these vehicles, while Rathbone gained critical acclaim for his sniggering, highly mannered and annoying performance. Lavish sets, but The Prisoner Of Zenda is a lot more fun. The wonderful dialogue is by Preston Sturges.
USA, 1938
Directed by Frank Lloyd
Screenplay by Preston Sturges, based on the play by Justin Huntly McCarthy
Cinematography by Theodor Sparkuhl
Produced by Frank Lloyd
Music by Richard Hageman
Production Design by Hans Dreier, John B. Goodman
Costume Design by Edith Head
Film Editing by Hugh Bennett
Academy Award Nominations
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Basil Rathbone as “Louis XI”)
Best Art Direction (Hans Dreier, John Goodman)
Best Music (Original Score) (Richard Hageman)
Best Sound Recording (Paramount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. Ryder, sound director)
How very kind, thank you!