The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927)

A cloistered, overprotected Austrian prince falls in love with a down-to-earth barmaid in this "Viennese fairy tale."

Directors:

Ernst Lubitsch, John M. Stahl (uncredited)

Writers:

Karl Heinrich (from the book), Marian Ainslee (titles)

Stars:

Ramon Novarro, Norma Shearer, Jean Hersholt

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ramon Novarro	...	Prince Karl Heinrich
Norma Shearer	...	Kathi
Jean Hersholt	...	Dr. Jüttner
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	King Karl VII
Philippe De Lacy	...	Young Karl - Heir Apparent (as Philipe de Lacy)
Edgar Norton	...	Lutz
Bobbie Mack	...	Kellermann (as Bobby Mack)
Edward Connelly	...	Court Marshal
Otis Harlan	...	Old Ruder
John S. Peters	...	Student

Storyline

Young Prince Karl Heinrich has spent his entire life behind the palace gates protected from the world. He has been raised in a melancholy atmosphere of strict discipline and duty, yet he often looks out at the frolics of youths and maidens who live beyond the walls. When he passes his exams, Karl is sent to Heidelberg to complete his studies. It is a heady new world of brew, song, and comradeship. Karl falls in love with Kathi, a pretty barmaid, and she reciprocates. But can the love survive their disparate backgrounds? Will Karl ever find happiness or will duty deny it to him?

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Plot Keywords:

prince | duty | tutor | cake | student | 

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Taglines:

Watch your own first timid flight of young love unfold before your eyes in this sweet-scented romance. Hear the "Student Prince" music. (Print Ad- Cherokee Evening Times, ((Cherokee, Iowa)) 11 June 1928)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Assuming its copyright has not lapsed already, this film and all others produced in 1927 enter the U.S. public domain in 2023.

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Goofs

The opening credits spell the name of the heroine (played by Norma Shearer) as "Cathi" yet the name is spelled "Kathi" in the subtitle plates.

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Quotes

Kids in the street: [happily, looking at photo of Young Prince Karl in shop window] He's going to be a wonderful king!

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Alternate Versions

In 1986, Thames Television in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer created a video, using the alternate title "Old Heidelberg," with full orchestral score by Carl Davis, and with running time of 106 minutes.

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Connections

Remade as The Prince and Me (2004)

User Reviews

Sweet, Sweet Film

This a delightful film full of humanistic touches-- from young Prince Karl's playful relationship with his good-natured mentor, Dr. Juttner, his carousing and drinking with the students in Old Heidelberg, to his paddling upon lakes and taking mad carriage rides with the beautiful barmaid, Kathy-- it's all at once side-stitchingly funny, bittersweet, romantic and a nostalgic tribute to youth and young love. The film is made with such a deft touch that, to the end where Prince Karl returns to visit Heidelberg, it never becomes schmaltzy. It is consistently charming and ends on a pitch perfect note. A real crowd pleaser. Highly recommended.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None English

Release Date:

30 January 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

Old Heidelberg

Filming Locations:

Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$1,205,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min (video) 105 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1