The Mudlark (1950)

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. Possessed of a desire to see the Queen, he... See full summary »

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (screen play), Theodore Bonnet (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Irene Dunne, Alec Guinness, Andrew Ray

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited 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

Storyline

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. Possessed of a desire to see the Queen, he slips past the Beefeaters and wanders about Windsor Castle, just when a state dinner is in preparation. Meanwhile, prime minister Disraeli is struggling hard to persuade the Queen to end her long seclusion

---

Plot Keywords:

queen | queen victoria | seclusion | castle | orphan | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 November 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Dreckspatz und die Königin

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century-Fox Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 94 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

---

Connections

Version of Victoria Regina (1961)

---

Soundtracks

"Silent Night, Holy Night"
(1818) (uncredited)
Music by Franz Gruber
Lyrics by Joseph Mohr
Sung by Carolers during the Christmas season

User Reviews

A good family film.

Quite an under-stated classic with some superb film-noir scenes shot on the river-bank.

Mudlarks, scavengers for anything at all on the Thames' tidal mud-banks, were only one of the Victorian under-class of homeless, often orphan kids forced to scratch a living, some-how, or die without raising an eye-brow in the great metropolis. This film tells how one of these poor kids attempts to see "The Mother of the Country". Andrew Ray, who plays 'Wheeler' died in 2003. The rest of the cast can never quite out-act the young lad though Findlay Currie as the boozy, kind and understanding John Brown comes close.