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n.”</i></p><p id="0f01"><b>Emanuel Levy </b>from<b> <i>EmanuelLevy.com</i></b> says: <i>“Sharply written by Preston Sturges and well acted by Basil Rathbone, this commercially popular swashbuckler was nominated for four Oscars.”</i></p><p id="abd2"><b>Craig Butler </b>from <b><i>AllMovie </i></b>says: <i>“A rousing, thoroughly enjoyable adventure film, ‘If I Were King’ plays fast and loose with historical fact and truth, but it’s so entertaining that few people are likely to care.</i>”</p><p id="f3a1"><b>Variety Staff</b> from <b><i>Variety </i></b>says: <i>“Paramount made a happy choice in deciding to turn out a new version of the adventures of Francois Villon. Ronald Colman’s delineation of the adventurous poet-philosopher is excellent, carrying through it a verve and spontaneity for an outstanding performance. Basil Rathbone brilliantly handles the difficult assignment of the eccentric, weazened Louis XI.”</i></p><figure id="322a"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*8jmfbag6L1gKMxtxrP3tSA.png"><figcaption>Still image of <i>John Miljan (the confronting knight), Ronald Colman (center), </i>Frances Dee (beside Colman’s left shoulder), Henry Wilcoxon (left of Dee), C.V. France (left of Wilcoxon), Alma Lloyd (left of France) in “If I Were King”.</figcaption></figure><p id="fda9">As you can tell by the critical reactions, the film’s reception was well praised aside from it’s loose play with the historical facts but it’s so entertaining in such a manner that few are likely to care. Its commended with solid direction from Lloyd that sparkles with a penetrating script filled with wit and sly badinage that contains plenty of action and drama, as well as ample opportunity for opulence, all anchored by a first-rate cast and honorable performances from Colman and Rathbone in this sleek, handsome, rousing, thoroughly enjoyable historical adventure. But I’ll let you decide…</p><p id="926b">Unfortunately, there is no link to a movie trailer or a preview clip of Frank Lloyd’s “If I Were King” to help give a better look at the feature film:</p><p id="e07c"><b><i>NO MOVIE TRAILER OR PREVIEW CLIP AVAILABLE</i></b></p><p id="d3c7">Here I have provided 12 interesting and intriguing trivia facts (<i>I wanted to keep it limited</i>) about “If I Were King”:</p><ul><li>“If I Were King”<i> </i>required 9 months in France to prepare for the film, and the French government cooperated by allowing a replica to be made of the Louvre Palace throne.</li><li>Whether screenwriter/filmmaker Preston Sturges, who at the time was Paramount’s top writer, had a collaborator in writing the script is unclear: some early drafts have the name “Jackson” on them as well as Sturges’, but the identity of “Jackson” has not been determined. In any event, Sturges finished a draft by February 1938. The final screenplay included Sturges’ own original translations of some of Villon’s poems.</li><li>Ronald Colman was a frequent guest on Jack Benny’s radio show, where he was supposedly Jack’s next-door neighbor in Beverly Hills. A 1946 broadcast had Colman rehearsing his recital of the poem, “If I Were King,” only to find himself being drowned out by Jack’s violin playing from next door.</li><li>Actor Darryl Hickman made his film debut in the uncredited role of a child.</li><li>The film was in production from 12 May to mid-July 1938. Ralph Faulkner, who played a watchman, acted as stunt coordinator and coached the actors on swordplay, and about 900 extras were used for the battle scenes, one of which was cut by the director after the film had opened.</li><li>Charles Boyer reportedly turned down the lead role that eventually went to Ronald Colman.</li></ul><figure id="8e84"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*G7I21dj1N32Nojm7spvxIg.png"><figcaption>Still image of Ronald Colman (front of pillar), Bruce Lester (front center left) and Sidney Toler (front center right) in “If I Were King”.</figcaption></figure><ul><li>Art director, Hans Drier also did work on the film, “The Vagabond King” (1930), which was a musical version of the same story.</li><li>William Farnum, who plays Gen. Barbezier, starred as Villon in the first film version of “If I Were King” (1920).</li><li>One of over 700 Paramount productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA

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/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since. Its earliest documented telecast took place in Toledo Saturday 3 January 1959 when it was chosen to launch the MCA/Paramount library on WTOL (Channel 11). It first aired in Omaha 29 March 1959 on KETV (Channel 7), in Seattle 31 July 1959 on KIRO (Channel 7), in Chicago 15 August 1959 on WBBM (Channel 2), in Milwaukee 7 November 1959 on WITI (Channel 6), in Asheville 16 November 1959 on WLOS (Channel 13), and in Phoenix 6 December 1959 on KVAR (Channel 12). It was released on DVD 27 May 2014 as part of the Universal Vault Series, and, in recent years, has also been occasionally offered on cable TV on Turner Classic Movies.</li><li>Popular Tamil actor turned politician M.G.Ramachandran, after watched and inspired by this movie, he decided to act, produce and direct “Nadodi Mannan” (English: The Vagabond King) in 1958, which turned out to be a huge success in his career and pawed a successful politics way to him to and become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu 19 years later.</li><li>“Lux Radio Theater” broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the film on October 16, 1939, with Frances Dee reprising her film role.</li><li>“Academy Award Theater” broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 11, 1946, with Ronald Colman reprising his film role.</li></ul><figure id="9f52"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*FutTnsk0lVJZXUz42vK9FQ.png"><figcaption>Still image of Frances Dee and Ronald Colman in “If I Were King”.</figcaption></figure><p id="915d">To conclude, Frank Lloyd’s “If I Were King” is a historical take that’s loose on it’s verifiable truths and facts but is a spirited, entertainingly delightful adventure that Frank Lloyd takes shrewd advantage of all these elements, never letting the opulence outweigh dramatic necessity, and balancing the humor with moments of genuine emotion. The film is nimbly written and delightfully quick-witted, flowing like French champagne with a top cast and commanding performances led by Ronald Colman and Basil Rathbone in this retold manifested biographical, swashbuckling, medieval and adventerous tale of cinematic escapism.</p><p id="8d7c"><i>NOTE: The article contains sources from IMDb and Wikipedia.</i></p><p id="b5e5"><b>Follow me and check out other articles of mine:</b></p><div id="ce2f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/https-medium-com-a-film-to-remember-saving-private-ryan-1998-c47ca645948e"> <div> <div> <h2>A FILM TO REMEMBER: "SAVING PRIVATE RYAN" (1998)</h2> <div><h3>The 20th Anniversary of Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan".</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*jRR066fXgVjZ5gGBUklLHw.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="e01e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-film-to-remember-key-largo-1948-163dd031937"> <div> <div> <h2>A FILM TO REMEMBER: "KEY LARGO" (1948)</h2> <div><h3>The 70th Anniversary of John Huston's "Key Largo".</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*FRnIAnBvBGtJKKJpSgcw_w.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="0ba4" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-film-to-remember-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-1938-912740ec8f8c"> <div> <div> <h2>A FILM TO REMEMBER: "SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS" (1938)</h2> <div><h3>The 80th Anniversary of David Hand's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*tj6my1GT_UjYyluyo_EUMQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

A FILM TO REMEMBER: “IF I WERE KING” (1938)

Photograph of film poster with a display of scene images from “If I Were King”.

Before I get into this, I want to make mention “A FILM TO REMEMBER” will be a series about films that have reached a milestone anniversary since their origin in being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. The articles will contain the film’s plot outline, director, cast, a compilation of trivialities, various photos, movie trailer, critical reception and more. So, let’s start:

We are here to mark the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Frank Lloyd’s “If I Were King”. Let’s take an inside look at the film:

PLOT OUTLINE:

A man who’s a vagabond poet, philosopher and rogue rises to high office in 1463 Paris as he by chance kills the king’s traitor and is ordered to replace him…as Grand Constable of France! But there’s a catch…

Still image of filmmaker Frank Lloyd.

STUDIO:

Paramount Pictures

DIRECTOR:

Frank Lloyd

CAST:

  • Ronald Colman … François Villon
  • Basil Rathbone … King Louis XI
  • Frances Dee … Katherine DeVaucelles
  • Ellen Drew … Huguette
  • C.V. France … Father Villon
  • Henry Wilcoxon … Captain of the Watch
  • Heather Thatcher … Queen
  • Stanley Ridges … Rene de Montigny
  • Bruce Lester … Noel de Jolys
  • Alma Lloyd … Colette
  • Walter Kingsford … Tristan l’Hermite
  • Sidney Toler … Robin Turgis
  • Colin Tapley … Jehan Le Loup
  • Ralph Forbes … Oliver le Dain
  • John Miljan … Grand Constable Thibaut D’Aussigny
  • William Haade … Guy Tabarie
  • Adrian Morris … Colin de Cayeulx
  • Montagu Love … General Dudon
  • Lester Matthews … General Saliere
  • William Farnum … General Barbezier (He starred as Villon in the first, silent film version of “If I Were King” (1920)).
  • Paul Harvey … Burgundian Herald
  • Barry Macollum … Storehouse Watchman
  • May Beatty … Anna
  • Winter Hall … Major Domo
  • Francis McDonald … Casin Cholet
  • Ann Evers … Lady-in-Waiting
  • Jean Fenwick … Lady-in-Waiting

GENRE(S):

Adventure | History

TAGLINE:

His Love-Making was as Dangerous as His Sword-Play.

Still image of Ronald Colman (left), Heather Thatcher and Basil Rathbone in “If I Were King”.

The film is known for being a fictionalized biographical historical adventure that’s helmed by director Frank Lloyd who vigorously layouts a lusty and witty tale that’s sharply scripted with eye-catching sets and solid performances from its fine cast particularly by Ronald Colman and Basil Rathbone. The film is based from Justin Huntly McCarthy’s play and novel, both of the same name, it got a positive reception with the only nitpick criticism that it played loose with its historical facts but was entertainingly enjoyable overall and became a popularized swashbuckler film of the French XVI century vagabond poet-philosopher Francois Villon.

Here’s what some of the critical receptions have been for the film over the years:

Dennis Schwartz from Ozus’ World Movie Reviews says: “Witty fictionalized historical adventure tale of the French 15th century vagabond poet Francois Villon.”

TV Guide Staff from TV Guide says: “Colman is without peer in his portrayal of the famous French poet and ne’er-do-well Francois Villon.”

Emanuel Levy from EmanuelLevy.com says: “Sharply written by Preston Sturges and well acted by Basil Rathbone, this commercially popular swashbuckler was nominated for four Oscars.”

Craig Butler from AllMovie says: “A rousing, thoroughly enjoyable adventure film, ‘If I Were King’ plays fast and loose with historical fact and truth, but it’s so entertaining that few people are likely to care.”

Variety Staff from Variety says: “Paramount made a happy choice in deciding to turn out a new version of the adventures of Francois Villon. Ronald Colman’s delineation of the adventurous poet-philosopher is excellent, carrying through it a verve and spontaneity for an outstanding performance. Basil Rathbone brilliantly handles the difficult assignment of the eccentric, weazened Louis XI.”

Still image of John Miljan (the confronting knight), Ronald Colman (center), Frances Dee (beside Colman’s left shoulder), Henry Wilcoxon (left of Dee), C.V. France (left of Wilcoxon), Alma Lloyd (left of France) in “If I Were King”.

As you can tell by the critical reactions, the film’s reception was well praised aside from it’s loose play with the historical facts but it’s so entertaining in such a manner that few are likely to care. Its commended with solid direction from Lloyd that sparkles with a penetrating script filled with wit and sly badinage that contains plenty of action and drama, as well as ample opportunity for opulence, all anchored by a first-rate cast and honorable performances from Colman and Rathbone in this sleek, handsome, rousing, thoroughly enjoyable historical adventure. But I’ll let you decide…

Unfortunately, there is no link to a movie trailer or a preview clip of Frank Lloyd’s “If I Were King” to help give a better look at the feature film:

NO MOVIE TRAILER OR PREVIEW CLIP AVAILABLE

Here I have provided 12 interesting and intriguing trivia facts (I wanted to keep it limited) about “If I Were King”:

  • “If I Were King” required 9 months in France to prepare for the film, and the French government cooperated by allowing a replica to be made of the Louvre Palace throne.
  • Whether screenwriter/filmmaker Preston Sturges, who at the time was Paramount’s top writer, had a collaborator in writing the script is unclear: some early drafts have the name “Jackson” on them as well as Sturges’, but the identity of “Jackson” has not been determined. In any event, Sturges finished a draft by February 1938. The final screenplay included Sturges’ own original translations of some of Villon’s poems.
  • Ronald Colman was a frequent guest on Jack Benny’s radio show, where he was supposedly Jack’s next-door neighbor in Beverly Hills. A 1946 broadcast had Colman rehearsing his recital of the poem, “If I Were King,” only to find himself being drowned out by Jack’s violin playing from next door.
  • Actor Darryl Hickman made his film debut in the uncredited role of a child.
  • The film was in production from 12 May to mid-July 1938. Ralph Faulkner, who played a watchman, acted as stunt coordinator and coached the actors on swordplay, and about 900 extras were used for the battle scenes, one of which was cut by the director after the film had opened.
  • Charles Boyer reportedly turned down the lead role that eventually went to Ronald Colman.
Still image of Ronald Colman (front of pillar), Bruce Lester (front center left) and Sidney Toler (front center right) in “If I Were King”.
  • Art director, Hans Drier also did work on the film, “The Vagabond King” (1930), which was a musical version of the same story.
  • William Farnum, who plays Gen. Barbezier, starred as Villon in the first film version of “If I Were King” (1920).
  • One of over 700 Paramount productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since. Its earliest documented telecast took place in Toledo Saturday 3 January 1959 when it was chosen to launch the MCA/Paramount library on WTOL (Channel 11). It first aired in Omaha 29 March 1959 on KETV (Channel 7), in Seattle 31 July 1959 on KIRO (Channel 7), in Chicago 15 August 1959 on WBBM (Channel 2), in Milwaukee 7 November 1959 on WITI (Channel 6), in Asheville 16 November 1959 on WLOS (Channel 13), and in Phoenix 6 December 1959 on KVAR (Channel 12). It was released on DVD 27 May 2014 as part of the Universal Vault Series, and, in recent years, has also been occasionally offered on cable TV on Turner Classic Movies.
  • Popular Tamil actor turned politician M.G.Ramachandran, after watched and inspired by this movie, he decided to act, produce and direct “Nadodi Mannan” (English: The Vagabond King) in 1958, which turned out to be a huge success in his career and pawed a successful politics way to him to and become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu 19 years later.
  • “Lux Radio Theater” broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the film on October 16, 1939, with Frances Dee reprising her film role.
  • “Academy Award Theater” broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 11, 1946, with Ronald Colman reprising his film role.
Still image of Frances Dee and Ronald Colman in “If I Were King”.

To conclude, Frank Lloyd’s “If I Were King” is a historical take that’s loose on it’s verifiable truths and facts but is a spirited, entertainingly delightful adventure that Frank Lloyd takes shrewd advantage of all these elements, never letting the opulence outweigh dramatic necessity, and balancing the humor with moments of genuine emotion. The film is nimbly written and delightfully quick-witted, flowing like French champagne with a top cast and commanding performances led by Ronald Colman and Basil Rathbone in this retold manifested biographical, swashbuckling, medieval and adventerous tale of cinematic escapism.

NOTE: The article contains sources from IMDb and Wikipedia.

Follow me and check out other articles of mine:

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