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The Emperor's Candlesticks

  • 19371937
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
691
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
William Powell and Luise Rainer in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
  • Drama
  • History
  • Romance
A male Polish secret agent and a female Russian secret-police spy smuggle messages to St. Petersburg in candlesticks. While chasing after stolen candlesticks they discover each other's ident... Read allA male Polish secret agent and a female Russian secret-police spy smuggle messages to St. Petersburg in candlesticks. While chasing after stolen candlesticks they discover each other's identity and fall in love.A male Polish secret agent and a female Russian secret-police spy smuggle messages to St. Petersburg in candlesticks. While chasing after stolen candlesticks they discover each other's identity and fall in love.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
691
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Fitzmaurice
  • Writers
    • Baroness Emmuska Orczy(book)
    • Harold Goldman
    • Monckton Hoffe
  • Stars
    • William Powell
    • Luise Rainer
    • Robert Young
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Fitzmaurice
  • Writers
    • Baroness Emmuska Orczy(book)
    • Harold Goldman
    • Monckton Hoffe
  • Stars
    • William Powell
    • Luise Rainer
    • Robert Young
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos39

    Robert Young and Douglass Dumbrille in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Robert Young in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Robert Young in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Robert Young in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Robert Young in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Luise Rainer in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Robert Young in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Frank Conroy and Luise Rainer in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    William Powell and Luise Rainer in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Robert Young in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    Luise Rainer in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)
    William Powell and Luise Rainer in The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Powell
    William Powell
    • Baron Stephan Wolenskyas Baron Stephan Wolensky
    Luise Rainer
    Luise Rainer
    • Countess Olga Mironovaas Countess Olga Mironova
    Robert Young
    Robert Young
    • Grand Duke Peteras Grand Duke Peter
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    • Maria Orlichas Maria Orlich
    Frank Morgan
    Frank Morgan
    • Col. Baron Suroffas Col. Baron Suroff
    Henry Stephenson
    Henry Stephenson
    • Prince Johannas Prince Johann
    Bernadene Hayes
    Bernadene Hayes
    • Mitzi Reisenbachas Mitzi Reisenbach
    Donald Kirke
    Donald Kirke
    • Anton - the Thiefas Anton - the Thief
    Douglass Dumbrille
    Douglass Dumbrille
    • Mr. Korum - a Conspiratoras Mr. Korum - a Conspirator
    • (as Douglas Dumbrille)
    Charles Waldron
    • Dr. Malchor - a Conspiratoras Dr. Malchor - a Conspirator
    Ian Wolfe
    Ian Wolfe
    • Leon - a Conspiratoras Leon - a Conspirator
    • (as Ien Wulf)
    Barnett Parker
    Barnett Parker
    • Albert - Stephan's Butleras Albert - Stephan's Butler
    Frank Reicher
    Frank Reicher
    • Pavloffas Pavloff
    Bert Roach
    Bert Roach
    • Hotel Clerkas Hotel Clerk
    Paul Porcasi
    Paul Porcasi
    • Santuzzias Santuzzi
    E.E. Clive
    E.E. Clive
    • Auctioneeras Auctioneer
    Emma Dunn
    Emma Dunn
    • Anna - Olga's Housekeeperas Anna - Olga's Housekeeper
    Frank Conroy
    Frank Conroy
    • Col. Radoffas Col. Radoff
    • Director
      • George Fitzmaurice
    • Writers
      • Baroness Emmuska Orczy(book)
      • Harold Goldman
      • Monckton Hoffe
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film did well at the box office, earning MGM a profit of $259,000 ($4,383,000 in 2017) according to studio records.
    • Goofs
      Stephan is told the execution he is meant to stop is scheduled to happen 15 days after that night's masked ball, which date is shown on an invitation. The date on the execution order seen later is exactly consistent with this 15-day deadline. However, the invoice Stephan views in Paris states that the candlesticks were sold to a London auction house one day AFTER the execution date.
    • Quotes

      Baron Stephan Wolensky: Turn out the lights, turn out the candles and turn in.

    • Connections
      Edited from Die Leuchter des Kaisers (1936)
    • Soundtracks
      Two Guitars
      Old Gypsy folk song

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Entertaining espionage flick
    The beginning of The Emperor's Candlesticks shows Prince Robert Young and his manservant Frank Morgan at a masked ball. Bob gets distracted by a pretty face, Maureen O'Sullivan, and they enjoy a whirlwind romance that evening. Just when you think it's a cute movie, Maureen turns into a villainess and kidnaps him! This is an espionage thriller that shows you from the beginning you don't know who to trust and you don't know what to expect.

    With a ransom note written to Bob's father tucked into a secret compartment of a pair of candlesticks, William Powell is supposed to smuggle the sticks out of the country so that the royal family can rescue the young prince without any scandal. There's another spy in pursuit of the candlesticks, and for a different reason: Luise Rainer. She and Bill don't know each other are spies, so there's quite a bit of tension as they try to get around each other while fighting for their own countries.

    The plot of this movie can become a bit confusing if you're not fully paying attention, but if you're awake and alert, it's quite exciting. I liked the all-star cast, including Henry Stephenson, and the twists and turns along the way. It's refreshing to see Bill Powell without a martini in his hand, and this is a nice change of pace for him. Check it out if you're a fan.
    helpful•0
    1
    • HotToastyRag
    • Feb 1, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 2, 1937 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Adventure for Three
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $620,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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