King Ralph (1991)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

David S. Ward

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

15 February 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

A comedy of majestic proportions

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

King | British Parliament | Photograph | Tea Ceremony | Punk

Cast

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
Ann Beach	...	Miranda's Mother
Jack Smethurst	...	Miranda's Father
Roger Ashton-Griffiths	...	Royal Photographer (as Roger Ashton Griffiths)
Brian Greene	...	Ed Mayes
Dallas Adams	...	MC at Strip Club
Adele Lakeland	...	Fanny Oakley
Josanne Haydon-Pierce	...	Chorus Girl (as Josanne Haydon-Pearce)
Vanessa Lee Hicks	...	Chorus Girl
Jazzi Northover	...	Chorus Girl
Dawn Spence	...	Chorus Girl
Guy Fithen	...	Bouncer
Ian Gelder	...	Riding Instructor
Cameron Blakely	...	Graves' Photographer
Caroline Paterson	...	Counter Girl
Sally Nesbitt	...	Onlooker
Richard Whitmore	...	Male Newscaster
Jennie Stoller	...	Female Newscaster
Kirk St. James	...	Sax Player
Tim Seely	...	King of England
Alison McGuire	...	Queen of England
Gareth Forwood	...	Duke
Richard Bebb	...	Gamekeeper
David Stoll	...	Butler
Chantal Claire	...	'Dukettes' Back-Up Singer (as Chantal-Claire)
Paul Beach	...	Tailor
Angus MacKay	...	Assistant Tailor
Jason Richards	...	Baby Ralph II
Topaz Hasfal-Schou	...	'Dukettes' Back-Up Singer (as Topaze Hasfal-School)
Charlotte Pyecroft	...	'Dukettes' Back-Up Singer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Terence Dackombe	...	Royal Courtier (uncredited)
Barrie Holland	...	Palace Dignitary (uncredited)

Directed by
David S. Ward

Writing credits (WGA)
Emlyn Williams		(novel "Headlong")
David S. Ward		(screenplay)

Produced by
Julie Bergman Sender	....	co-producer (as Julie Bergman)
Jack Brodsky	....	producer
John Comfort	....	co-producer
Sydney Pollack	....	executive producer
Mark Rosenberg	....	executive producer

Original Music by
James Newton Howard

Cinematography by
Kenneth MacMillan		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
John Jympson		(uncredited)

Casting by
Mary Selway

Production Design by
Simon Holland

Art Direction by
Clinton Cavers

Set Decoration by
Peter Walpole

Costume Design by
Catherine Cook

Makeup Department
Elaine Bowerbank	....	hair styles supervisor
Betty Glasow	....	hair stylist
Peter Robb-King	....	makeup supervisor
Jane Royle	....	makeup artist

Production Management
John Comfort	....	unit production manager
Carol Dantuono	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Derek Cracknell	....	first assistant director
Melvin Lind	....	second assistant director
Julian Wall	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Bruce Bigg	....	property master
Peter Bigg	....	dressing prop
Colin Burgess	....	stand-by propman
Jack Carter	....	construction manager
Kelvin Carter	....	chargehand carpenter
Graham Caulfield	....	drapes master
Trevor Dyer	....	chargehand carpenter
Fred Evans	....	master sculptor
Judy Farr	....	property buyer
Barry Gibbs	....	dressing prop
Elli Griff	....	art department assistant
John Hedges	....	construction supervisor
Danny Hunter	....	chargehand stand-by propman
Michael Jones	....	supervising painter
Kenneth Langridge	....	chargehand stagehand
Lucy Richardson	....	draughtsperson
Reg Richards	....	chargehand carpenter
Ray Rose	....	chargehand propman
Peter Russell	....	draughtsperson
Alfie Smith	....	chargehand dressing props
Suzanna Smith	....	draughtsperson
Janet Stevens	....	sculptor
Ted Stickley	....	chargehand dressing props
Peter Voysey	....	sculptor
Kenneth Welland	....	chargehand painter (as Ken Welland)
Mark White	....	stand-by constructor (as Chalky White)
Robin Heinson	....	painter (uncredited)
Grahame Ménage	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
David A. Arnold	....	foley editor (as Dave Arnold)
Don Banks	....	boom operator
Jo Crilly	....	sound trainee
Dean Drabin	....	foley mixer
John P. Fasal	....	sound effects recordist (as John Paul Fasal)
Christopher Flick	....	foley editor (as Chris Flick)
Jo Griffy	....	sound editor trainee
Gary A. Hecker	....	foley artist (as Gary Hecker)
Scott Hecker	....	supervising sound editor (as Scott A. Hecker)
Doug Hemphill	....	sound re-recording mixer
Chris Jenkins	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tony Jenkins	....	sound re-recordist
Doug Kent	....	assistant sound editor
Rudy J. Lara	....	sound re-recordist
Robert Mackston	....	dialogue editor (as Bobby Mackston)
David Motta	....	sound maintenance
Katie Rowe	....	foley artist
Carolann Sanchez-Shapiro	....	assistant sound editor
Matt Sawelson	....	dialogue editor
Ivan Sharrock	....	sound designer
Mark Smith	....	sound re-recording mixer
Joel Valentine	....	sound effects editor
Bill Voigtlander	....	adr editor (as Bill Voightlander)
Scott D. Jackson	....	foley editor (uncredited)
Brad Sherman	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)
Lionel Strutt	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
John Morris	....	special effects supervisor
Martin Gutteridge	....	special effects (uncredited)
Garth Inns	....	special effects (uncredited)
Terry Schubert	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Greg Powell	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Tom Brown	....	gaffer (as Tommy Brown)
John Clark	....	best boy electric
Frank Connor	....	still photographer
Jonathan Earp	....	clapper loader
John Field	....	chargehand rigger
Martin Lewis	....	camera car
David Morgan	....	focus puller
Mike Proudfoot	....	camera operator
Katrina Thurston	....	camera trainee
Tony Turner	....	camera grip
Geoff Mulligan	....	aerial camera operator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Caitlin Rhodes	....	casting assistant
Mary Selway	....	casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Annie Crawford	....	wardrobe supervisor
Jenny Hawkins	....	wardrobe assistant
Joe Hobbs	....	wardrobe assistant
Lindsay Pugh	....	wardrobe assistant
David Whiteing	....	wardrobe assistant (as Dave Whiting)

Editorial Department
Joss Agnew	....	editorial trainee
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
Beth Dewey	....	post-production runner (as Elizabeth Dewey)
Robert Frazen	....	assistant editor
Jonathan Lucas	....	assistant editor
Alex Renskoff	....	assistant editor
Stephen R. Sheridan	....	color timer (as Steve Sheridan)
William Webb	....	associate editor

Music Department
Chris Boardman	....	orchestrator
Brad Dechter	....	orchestrator
Sandy DeCrescent	....	musician
Dina Eaton	....	music editor
Bonnie Greenberg	....	music clearances
Jeff Lynne	....	music producer (uncredited)
Jill Meyers	....	music clearances
Shawn Murphy	....	scoring mixer
David Olson	....	music assistant (as David M. Olson)
Marty Paich	....	conductor
Marty Paich	....	scoring conductor
Ross Pallone	....	score recording engineer
Robert Schaper	....	score recording engineer
Jim Weidman	....	music editor (as James L. Weidman)
John Bundrick	....	musician: piano (uncredited)
David Olson	....	assistant music editor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Michael Broadway	....	unit driver (as Michael {Sparrow} Broadway)
Roy Clarke	....	unit driver
Peter Graovac	....	unit driver
Tommy Lee	....	unit driver
Dave Manning	....	unit driver
Colin Morris	....	unit driver
Ian Clarke	....	vehicle technician (uncredited)
Stanley Sirkin	....	unit driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Howard Baral	....	post-production accountant
Lisa Bellomo	....	assistant to producer
Jo Burn	....	assistant to producer
Sarah Dean	....	accounts secretary
Diana Dill	....	script supervisor
Peter Elford	....	location manager
Pat Garrett	....	choreographer
Jason Grode	....	assistant: David Ward
Ben Jenkins	....	production runner
Rita Joelson	....	assistant to producer
Patricia Johnson	....	publicist
Linda Labov	....	assistant to producer
William Lang	....	location manager
Janine Lodge	....	production coordinator
Michael Mason	....	supervising scoring coordinator
Lauri Mayberry	....	assistant accountant
Rex Mitchell	....	production accountant
Della Moore	....	assistant accountant
Andrew Noakes	....	assistant accountant
Donna Ostroff	....	assistant to producer
Mark Sheffield	....	cutting room engineer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures (presents)
• JBRO
• Mirage

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1991) (USA) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1991) (non-USA) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1991) (UK) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1991) (Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1991) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1991) (Spain) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1991) (France) (theatrical)
• MCA Home Video (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1992) (USA) (VHS)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1992) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• ETD Home Video (1993) (USA) (VHS)
• GoodTimes Home Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• GoodTimes Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• CIC Vídeo (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• CIC-Taft Home Video (199?) (Australia) (VHS)
• Universal Home Video (Brazil) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (199?) (Netherlands) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Big Time Picture Company  post production facilities (as Big Time Picture Co.)
• CRM Group Inc.  Wescam provided by
• Columbia Recording Studios  music recorded at
• First Unit Caterers  catering
• Kodak  originated on Eastman Colour Film from
• Lee Lighting  lighting equipment supplied by (as Lee Lighting Limited)
• Mayflower Recording  adr recording (uncredited)
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Todd-AO/Glen Glenn Studios  re-recorded at (as Todd AO/Glen Glenn Studios)
• Todd-AO/Glen Glenn Studios  sound effects by (as Todd AO/Glen Glenn Studios)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Netherlands:6 | Finland:S | Germany:6 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | USA:PG | Ireland:PG

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Universal Pictures

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.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the film, the king of Finland should visit Great Britain. Finland had never had set up a monarchy. But Sweden, to whom Finland belonged until 1721, had a monarchy.

Quotes:

Lord Percival Graves: [after Ralph accuses him of undermining him] This is an OUTRAGE! A VILE piece af slander! I demand to know the source of these allegations!
Ralph Jones: We have the signed confession of a royal page, Gordon Halliwell, who worked with Lord Graves.
Lord Percival Graves: I know no such man!
Ralph Jones: And several cheques made out to the photographers who took the pictures, signed by Lord Graves. Whose fingerprints were also on the photographs.
Lord Percival Graves: So! I saw them at the ball!
Ralph Jones: And Scotland Yard found the negatives at his house this morning.
Lord Percival Graves: [realizes he's been caught] By what right can you order my arrest!
Ralph Jones: By the Treason Act of 1702 forbidding interference in the proper succesion of a monarch. Enacted by...
[pause, as he recites the Order of the Kings poem to himself]
Ralph Jones: William III!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Married with Children: Dial B for Virgin (#9.7)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

I'm In The Mood For Love

Charming!

It's not stupid, it's charming. A bit old-fashioned and corny, yes, but entertaining and amusing and well worth the time! I just saw this for the second time on cable TV and liked it just as much as the first time!

Goodman performs bravely and exquisitely as the good-hearted buffoon who overcomes the stuffiness and snobbishness of a group of bluebloods too good for their own bodily functions.