The Mudlark (1950)

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (screenplay)
Theodore Bonnet (novel)

Release Date:

28 November 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In 1875 London, young Wheeler, who lives by scavenging, finds a cameo of Queen Victoria which he thinks so beautiful he risks his life to save it...

Plot Keywords:

Queen | Queen Victoria | Seclusion | Husband | Young

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Irene Dunne	...	Queen Victoria
Alec Guinness	...	Benjamin Disraeli
Andrew Ray	...	Wheeler, the Mudlark
Beatrice Campbell	...	Lady Emily Prior
Finlay Currie	...	John Brown
Anthony Steel	...	Lieutenant Charles McHatten
Raymond Lovell	...	Sergeant Footman Naseby
Marjorie Fielding	...	Lady Margaret Prior
Constance Smith	...	Kate Noonan
Edward Rigby	...	The Watchman
Ronan O'Casey	...	Slattery

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:U | USA:Approved (certificate #14628) | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Productions

Trivia:

First film of Andrew Ray.

Quotes:

Disraeli: Such proposals as slum clearance, public housing, educational facilities for the poor, are all wise and worthy measures and consequently will be opposed vigorously. The British are a proud and independent people, ma'am, and will not yield to improvement without a stout struggle.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Hallmark Hall of Fame: Victoria Regina (#11.2)" (1961)

An Underappreciated Classic!

Irene Dunne wore darn near as much make-up as Lon Chaney Jr. in the Wolfman, to portray the role of Victoria I. She was a much underrated actress and the role fit her like a glove. Then, there's the late Sir Alec Guinness as Disraeli and the incomparable Finlay Curie as John Brown, the only man who had leave to blow his nose in the presence of the Queen. The tale focuses on a "Mudlark," a street urchin who lives off scrounging castaway goods from the mud banks of the Thames, who finds a likeness of Queen Victoria and resolves to visit this "Mother of all England." How this event is used by Disraeli to get her to end her reclusive widowhood is the plot of the story. Alas, no video and no DVD. This superb classic, too good for even its own time shows up from time to time on the late show and if it does, don't miss it. You'll be charmed by some outstanding performances and a winsome story. Oh. Yes, the kid gets to meet the Queen and she does join polite society once more. That much is history.