The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

Of course so many versions have been made, like 10 Little Indians" that everyone knows the story, now, but a fairly original idea when it first appeared.I don't know how anyone can not like Coleman. He was outstanding in everything he did.Fairbanks is great as well, I wish he would have done the sequel, Rupert of Henslau!I can imagine seeing this film in the theater as a boy, what an impact it would have made. I wish Hollywood would give up some of the special effects, and frenetic pacing of so many films today, that never take time to develop the storyline or the characters, but jump from scene to scene every 30 seconds. Anyway, Stewart Granger is no match for Coleman, see this version if you never have. It should be on anyone's top 100 films list!

An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped. (Of the many film adaptations, this is considered by many to be the definitive version.) This production was "one of the last great gatherings of the Hollywood English" before World War II. Producer Selznick was partly inspired to take on the project because of the abdication of Edward VIII, and exploited this angle in his marketing of the film. Indeed, this likely heightened American interest in the English royal family, especially as far as their romances were concerned.This is probably the first film to be set in Ruritania, though not the last. Most interesting, in my opinion, is how this film was the direct inspiration for the uniforms of "Star Trek". Any fan of the "Trek" films ought to see this just to appreciate the history of the uniform.

A lookalike cousin comes in handy when a king-in-waiting falls victim to tainted wine. Lots of pomp and ceremonial ritual add luster to this romantic adventure, set in Europe in the late nineteenth century.A convincing performance by Ronald Colman in dual roles helps. C. Aubrey Smith plays his usual gruff self, as Col. Zapt, who masterminds the devious scheme to prevent a villainous brother, effectively played by Raymond Massey, from ascending the throne. The impersonation plot has just enough suspense and humor to hold one's interest.There's more than a hint of romanticized nostalgia in the tone, helped along by regal background music. Consistent with the styles and customs of that historical era, costumes trend stiff and formal. B&W cinematography is quite impressive. Some scenes have a medieval look and feel, especially that island castle.The fencing match is stagy but fun. Both men seem to enjoy fighting to the death, exchanging clever quips. "Stand still and fight, you coward", says one character. His opponent responds: "Bad tempered fellow, aren't you, underneath the charm". This match goes on for several minutes, and is played in a tongue-in-cheek manner.For romantics everywhere, "The Prisoner Of Zenda" is a timeless classic. It's movie making in the old fashioned way, with a clever story, good acting, and some fine camera work.

Anthony Hopes's classic tale turned into a classic adventure film with Ronald Coleman as the King and his commoner cousin who must masquerade as the king when he's first drugged into unconsciousness so he can't be crowned and later when the king is kidnapped. Its a rousing tale with a dynamite romance. It's been filmed numerous times and this one is probably the best. I put the Stewart Granger one a half step behind this one because James Mason isn't as evil as Douglas Fairbanks Jr as Rupert of Hentzau. You don't get casts better than this since it has Coleman, Madeline Carol, Fairbanks, David Niven, Raymond Massey, Mary Astor and C Aubrey Smith. You also don't get scripts better than this, the Granger version essentially used the same script so that as it ran I was quoting dialog and making my dad go "I thought you never saw this before". Possibly one of the best adventure films Hollywood ever made, I can't recommend it enough...