The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Anthony Hope (novel)
Edward E. Rose (dramatisation)

Release Date:

3 September 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The most thrilling swordfight ever filmed...

Plot:

An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped.

Plot Keywords:

Victorian Age | Royal Palace | Royal Court | Bishop | 1890s

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 26

8:15 AM

TCM

Cast

Ronald Colman	...	Maj. Rudolf Rassendyll / King Rudolf V
Madeleine Carroll	...	Princess Flavia
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Col. Zapt
Raymond Massey	...	Black Michael
Mary Astor	...	Antoinette de Mauban
David Niven	...	Capt. Fritz von Tarlenheim
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Rupert of Hentzau
Montagu Love	...	Detchard (as Montague Love)
Wilhelm von Brincken	...	Krafstein (as William von Brincken)
Philip Sleeman	...	Albert von Lauengram (a conspirator)
Eleanor Wesselhoeft	...	Frau Holf
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Arthur Byron	...	(scenes deleted)
Francis Ford	...	(scenes deleted)
Florence Roberts	...	Duenna (scenes deleted)
Margaret Tallichet	...	(scenes deleted)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #3356) | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Selznick International Pictures

Trivia:

In 'Salad Days', his first autobiography, 'Douglas Fairbanks Jr' said that when Raymond Massey told Sir C. Aubrey Smith, who played Col. Zapt, that he didn't understand his own part of Black Michael, Smith said 'Ray, in my time I've played every part in Zenda except Princess Flavia, and I've never understood Black Michael either'.

Goofs:

Continuity: Princess Flavia gives Rassendyll a red rose in the garden. As it lies on a book a little while later, it is white.

Quotes:

King: Well, what are you doing here, cousin?
Rudolph Rassendyll: I must admit, Sire, that I may have been guilty of somewhat the same offense as our mutual ancestor.
King: Such as what?
Rudolph Rassendyll: Fishing in forbidden waters.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Get Smart: To Sire, with Love: Part 1 (#4.20)" (1969)

Soundtrack:

Artist's Life, Op.316

Anthony Hope

John Cromwell's direction sparks this entry into " The Prisoner of Zenda" This film redone by MGM with James Mason as Black Michael and in colour( Color)

This version has more wit and sweep even though its in black and white. For sure the screenwriters and Cromwell made Doug Fairbanks Jr into more of a rascal than a criminal and of course he escaped in the final reel. I like Coleman and Carroll in their leading roles as well as C A. Smith and Niven as the co conspirators

Raymond Massey looks like he is uncomfortable with his lines and would rather be doing Hamlet Nevertheless this is the best version and it still has legs and looks more Gothic than the MGM Vehicle which is saturated in colors and may cause headaches after the first reel

C Pope