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 Treason Act of 1702 by which Ralph has Lord Percival Graves arrested is an actual Act of Parliment, enacted in the last year of William the Third's reign. It made it a capital offense to attempt to prevent the successor to the crown from properly taking the throne. Eventually, in 1998, the punishment was changed from death to life imprisonment.

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Goofs

The "punks" who are shown watching television and commenting at various times throughout the months-long reign of King Ralph are always wearing the same clothing.

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Quotes

Ralph Jones: Do you feel that being the king of a major nation is tougher than you thought?
King Mulamboa: Yes, it is difficult sometimes, what with the ceremonial duties and official obligations. But I'm quite pleased with the economic progress my country has made. We are hoping to be the first in Africa to market an automobile!
Ralph Jones: Oh really? I might be in the market myself soon. The Rolls just doesn't have that much "poop". This car gonna have fuel injection?
King Mulamboa: Oh yes, everything. Five-speed transmission, rack-and-pin ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tabula Rasa (2001)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Who the hell cares about critics? This is great fun!

"King Ralph" was surprisingly entertaining and very funny, actually. However outrageous, implausible, ridiculous the plot, that doesn't matter. It was deliciously over the top to see Peter O'Toole and John Goodman, the most unlikely team ever, provide the spectacle of a cultural clash, to say the least. The movie cheerfully mocks both American and British culture and stereotypes, but it does it rather playfully, without being offensive to anybody. The joke is either on the hamburger and baseball loving Americans, or the stiff conservatory high-class Brits. People who describe this movie as "low-brow" comedy obviously have no idea what that means. This is good quality humor, no crude and tasteless jokes here. The actors are all top-rate and the acting is first class.

Who could have played the majestic, royal British type better than Peter O'Toole? Nobody! He's perfect, graceful and dignified as the King's adviser. John Goodman, on the other hand, is perfect as the average joe who doesn't know or care much about protocol, good manners or politics. John Hurt is another excellent choice to play the part of an evil, unscrupulous aristocrat hung up on power. Hurt obviously enjoyed doing this part and he's very funny. The movie tends to drag when Goodman's girlfriend shows up, but Princess Anna enters the stage to compensate. There are also some unnecessary exaggerations, but I didn't mind. The script is good, the jokes are over the top and performances are great all around. Hilarious stuff!