The Prisoner Of Zenda (1937)

An English visitor (Ronald Colman) to a middle European country is a dead ringer for the nation's King (also Colman). When the King is indisposed, the Englishman is talked into masquerading as the King for a night. But when the King is kidnapped, the visitor finds himself not only caught in the middle of an attempt by the King's brother (Raymond Massey) to take over the throne, but falling in love with the King's betrothed (Madeleine Carroll). This is the fourth film version of the 1894 Anthony Hope novel and it wouldn't be the last! Considered by most to be the definitive film version, it's a smooth swashbuckler that needed a livelier leading man than the stodgy Colman. Madeleine Carroll is lovely but it's a thankless role. Thus it's the supporting characters that give the movie its punch, especially Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as the untrustworthy Rupert Of Hentzau who provides the dash and the swash proving he was, indeed, a chip off the old block. James Wong Howe's cinematography is often imposing (the walk down the massive staircase) and Alfred Newman's rousing score was also re-used for the 1952 MGM remake. Directed by John Cromwell. With Mary Astor, David Niven, C. Aubrey Smith and Byron Foulger.