Wolff rating: GOOD
Plot summary: Anthony Hope's novel of a man who plays the king of a European nation for a day and finds himself deeper than he expects.
Biased, pithy comments: Although this novel has hit the screen a lot of times, this is for many the definitive version, with Selznick, soon to make ``Gone With The Wind,'' up to his sappy but beautiful tricks---big sets, big performances, tight scripting. Although not big on action for most of the film, it takes off near the end with what can only be described as a rollicking sword battle with the veteran Fairbanks being about as evil as you could be. Definitely worth viewing, especially with a date.
Other Notes: One wonders how much of ``The Princess Bride's'' famous swordfight came from this movie.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll, Raymond Massey, David Niven, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Directed by: John Cromwell (produced by David O. Selznick)