USA,
1938, 101 min
Directed by:
Frank LloydScreenplay:
Preston SturgesCinematography:
Theodor SparkuhlComposer:
Richard HagemanCast:
Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, Frances Dee, Ellen Drew, C.V. France, Henry Wilcoxon, Stanley Ridges, Bruce Lester, Walter Kingsford, Alma Lloyd, Sidney Toler (more)Plots(1)
Set in 15th century Paris, a rogue poet matches wits with a crafty king and leads the Empire to victory in the spectacular romantic adventure If I Were King. Ronald Colman is at his swashbuckling best as Francois Villon and Basil Rathbone gives a superb Academy Award-nominated performance for Best Supporting Actor as Louis XI, a tyrant with a besieged city on the verge of revolt. When a twist of fate makes Villon the chief constable, the king gives him a week to save the city and win the love of a beautiful princess (Frances Dee)… or die! Deliciously wicked repartee abounds in the lavish, fast-paced entertainment which writer Preston Sturges claimed as one of his finest achievements. (Kino Lorber)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Academy Awards
- 1939 - Basil Rathbone (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
- 1939 - Richard Hageman (Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score))
- 1939 - Best Achievement in Production Design
- 1939 - Best Sound Mixing