King Ralph (1991)

As the only relative to take over the Royal throne, a down on his luck American slob must learn the ways of the English.

Director:

David S. Ward

Writers:

Emlyn Williams (novel), David S. Ward (screenplay)

Stars:

John Goodman, Peter O'Toole, John Hurt

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Goodman	...	Ralph Hampton Gainesworth Jones
Peter O'Toole	...	Sir Cedric Charles Willingham
John Hurt	...	Lord Percival Graves
Camille Coduri	...	Miranda Green
Richard Griffiths	...	Duncan Phipps
Leslie Phillips	...	Gordon Halliwell
James Villiers	...	Prime Minister Jeffrey Hale
Joely Richardson	...	Princess Anna
Niall O'Brien	...	Tommy McGuire
Julian Glover	...	King Gustav
Judy Parfitt	...	Queen Katherine
Ed Stobart	...	Dysentery
Gedren Heller	...	Punk Girl
Rudolph Walker	...	King Mulambon
Michael Johnson	...	Hamilton

Storyline

When an accident obliterates the British royal family and most of its branches, a desperate geneological search discovers the next king: Ralph, a sleazy American lounge singer. Can Ralph measure up to the job, even with the help of loyal aristocrat Willingham?

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Plot Keywords:

king | american | heir | entertainer | horse carriage | 

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Taglines:

A comedy of majestic proportions

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 February 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

King Ralph - O Primeiro Rei Americano

Filming Locations:

Apsley House, Hyde Park Corner, Hyde Park, London, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

$34,002,045 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, JBRO, Mirage

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real royal family name, Windsor, was changed to the fictional name Windham for the movie. Un-synched lip movements in a few parts (most notably the abdication scene) seem to suggest the change was made after the film was shot.

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Goofs

Near the beginning, when Duncan is explaining Ralph's heritage to him at the hotdog stand, one of the soda glasses alternates between being upright and being slightly tipped between shots.

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Quotes

Sir Cedric Willingham: How's it going, Your Majesty?
Ralph Jones: Great. We've got nothing in common and she's got a voice like a tuba. If she had her way, we'd have sex on a bed of nails on national television. But at least the party stinks.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: John Goodman/Everclear (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Where is Your Heart"
Written by William Engvick and Georges Auric (as George Auric)

User Reviews

A hilarious culture clash of a film

John Goodman stars as the title monarch in this royal comedy.

Ralph is a Las Vegas lounge singer badly in the need for some

moolah when a group of British councilmen approach him one night

and bear him the news that Ralph is the new king of England

after the whole royal family has been wiped out in a freak

accident! Reluctantly, Ralph takes the job. At first, he seems

like a fish out of water, the fact being that he is an American

first of all, and that he is also a total slob! Being king might

not be so good after all.

This movie is funny because Goodman does a nice job being a

lovable slob trying his best to be the royal figurehead of the

Britain. Peter O'Toole is also good as Willingham, the

aristocrat whose job is to look after the newly appoi