King Ralph

19911991
PGPG
1h 37min

A regular guy from America becomes king of England after a royal wipe-out puts him next in line.A regular guy from America becomes king of England after a royal wipe-out puts him next in line.A regular guy from America becomes king of England after a royal wipe-out puts him next in line.

5.3/10

16K

Director
- David S. Ward
Writers
- Emlyn Williams(novel "Headlong")
- David S. Ward(screenplay)
Stars

Top credits

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

John Goodman, Camille Coduri, and Leslie Phillips in King Ralph (1991)

John Goodman and Peter O'Toole in King Ralph (1991)

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? —Reid Gagle

hands covering breasts king heir buckingham palace wrong side of the tracks 98 more

Taglines
- A comedy of majestic proportions
Genres
- Comedy
- Romance
Certificate
- PG
Parents guide

Trivia
According to an interview with John Goodman in the article "'No Leading Man, King Ralph Insists" published in the February 12, 1991 edition of the Los Angeles Times, Goodman denied his new leading man status in this movie, and said he was still just a character actor. Goodman said: "Don't call me a leading man. This is just another part, with a lot more lines. The only difference for me this time, was that I didn't have time to fool around when I wasn't working. When you're the leading man, your meter's running all the time, and you're always working. There's no goof-off time. But that still doesn't make me a leading man. I'm still just a character actor. Nobody's ready to call me Mel Gibson, Jr., and I don't think anybody's ready to pay good money to see me get the girl in the movie. I know I wouldn't go see something like that."

Goofs
While the film states that the entire British Royal family has been killed and an heir cannot be located, the actual line of succession to the United Kingdom monarchy extends to hundreds of nobles throughout all the nations of Central and Western Europe. An even longer extended list, tracing to links with the royal family as far back as 1800, extends into the thousands. Thus, even if all of the immediate British family were to die, there would be plenty of people left to take their place.

Quotes
Phipps: Sir Cedric! Sir Cedric! Good news. We've finally found an heir!
Sir Cedric Willingham: That's wonderful, Duncan. Who is he?
Phipps: His name is Jones. Ralph Jones.
Sir Cedric Willingham: Is he everything we've hoped for?
Phipps: [embarrassed] Well. He has his strengths and his weaknesses. You see, he's
[uncomfortable pause]
Phipps: American.
Sir Cedric Willingham: Quickly, Duncan! The strengths!

Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Scenes from a Mall/Nothing But Trouble/He Said, She Said/King Ralph/The Field (1991)

Soundtracks
Good Golly Miss Molly
Words & Music by John Marascalco and Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell
End Title Performance by Little Richard
Produced by Jeff Lynne

Top review

8/10

Good fun

This seems to get a panning from film reviewers here, but it actually is a good comedy. The story line is mildly stupid and a replay of the old fish-out-of-water formula, but the British were able to add a fantastic flavour to the film and the comedy is kept in check and doesn't become too outlandishly stupid.

Thumbs up in my view, but it's a little bit date these days. Superb supporting cast and a friendly film: nothing crude and from recollection, no bad language.

Goes to show that it can still be done if you really apply your mind to it!

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