Beau Brummell (1954)

An ex-soldier (Stewart Granger) has a reputation as a fashionable bon vivant despite having no visible income. He strikes up an unlikely friendship with the Prince of Wales (Peter Ustinov) and although they are genuine friends, he isn't above using the friendship to his own benefit. Based on an 1890 play by Clyde Fitch (and made into a 1924 film with John Barrymore as Brummell) and directed by Curtis Bernhardt (INTERRUPTED MELODY). What would MGM have done without Stewart Granger in the 1950s? Who else could they have used for these period productions like SCARAMOUCHE, PRISONER OF ZENDA, YOUNG BESS, MOONFLEET etc. This gorgeous looking but stodgy historical drama is the least interesting of these vehicles. Possibly because Beau Brummell, at least as portrayed here, was a rather arrogant and unlikable chap. As the female lead, Elizabeth Taylor is merely decoration, used for her jaw dropping beauty. There is some good acting done by the supporting players. In addition to Ustinov, there's Robert Morley playing the mad King George III and in her film debut, Rosemary Harris as Ustinov's mistress. With James Donald, Paul Rogers and Peter Bull.