MOVIEmeter
SEE RANK
Up 4,423 this week

The Mudlark (1950)

 -  Drama  -  28 November 1950 (USA)
7.0
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 7.0/10 from 397 users  
Reviews: 11 user | 2 critic

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:

Writers:

(screen play), (based on the novel by)
0Check in
0Share...

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 1284 titles created 12 Nov 2011
 
a list of 204 titles created 23 Jan 2011
 
a list of 96 titles created 02 Oct 2011
 
a list of 250 titles created 22 Apr 2011
 
a list of 173 titles created 29 Dec 2011
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: The Mudlark (1950)

The Mudlark (1950) on IMDb 7/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of The Mudlark.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. See more awards »
Edit

Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
...
Andrew Ray ...
Wheeler - the Mudlark
Beatrice Campbell ...
Lady Emily Prior
...
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
Edit

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 Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
Edit

Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

28 November 1950 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Der Dreckspatz und die Königin  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on August 27, 1951 with Irene Dunne reprising her film role. See more »

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.
See more »

Connections

Version of Queen of Destiny (1938) See more »

Soundtracks

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

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

 
An orphaned child in the court of the Queen
29 January 2009 | by (Canada) – See all my reviews

A fine film that is mainly forgotten but still worth seeing, it deals with a homeless boy in Victorian London (1876) who rubs shoulders with two of the leading figures of the time – Queen Victoria and Benjamin Disraeli.

A heart-warming story of historical fiction, it displays the formidable acting talent of Irene Dunne and Alex Guinness. Disreali's audience with the Queen at the start draws us into the main themes of the movie. Andrew Ray, as the boy, is exceptional. The great character actor Finlay Currie plays the role of the Queen's friend John Brown, a crusty, boozy Scot and a close companion of the Queen, who takes a personal interest in the boy. (The character of John Brown was also the subject of the movie from the 1990's - Mrs. Brown, played by Dame Judi Dench.)

The role of the mudlark–a child who scavenges on the banks of the Thames is played by Andrew Ray. It was while doing this,that he found a cameo of the Queen. Illiterate and poverty-stricken, he knows nothing about the Queen but when he finds out who she is, he wants to meet her. The discovery of the child during a banquet at Windsor Castle becomes a national story, in which the Prime Minister (Alex Guinness as Disraeli) uses the issue to underscore the need for social reform and to thus win support for his government's program. The speech in the House of Commons is a high point in the movie, as is the widowed Queen's encounter with the boy near the end of the film.

Colourful conversations between Alex Guinness (Disraeli) and Findlay Currie (John Brown) add sparkle to the film as does a well-lubricated Brown as he takes the boy on a tour of the castle.

At the end, Disraeli and Brown, totally different in character, are drawn together by their love of the monarch. The widowed monarch, at first alarmed by the boy's stealing into her private residence, is moved by a second encounter when she learns that he merely wanted to see her. This also suited the Prime Minister's purpose of giving the monarch confidence to come out of seclusion.


4 of 4 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Andrew Ray ernestcpearson
I liked it, but.... ronricho
Discuss The Mudlark (1950) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?