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If
I Were King
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 In disguise, King Louis visits a tavern and listens to Villon speak. |
 King Louis realizes that his Grand Constable is a traitor. |
Villon dispenses justice in the King's name, causing the people to shout "God Bless Louis!" and "Long Live the King!" But he finds it impossible to make the cowardly Generals of the King's army attack the Burgundians. Near the end of his week, desperate to end the siege, Villon rallies the common people and leads them into battle against the Burgundians, defeating them. Since Villon saved the city, King Louis reluctantly commutes Villon's sentence of death to exile from Paris. Louis is disappointed at being cheated out of the pleasure of hanging Villon. And Villon admits to Louis he learned that being King is not such an easy job.
If I Were King SHOULD BE A HEAVY BUSINESS-GETTER AT THE BOX OFFICE; ONE OF THE SCREEN'S FINEST EFFORTS. Here is one of the bet pictures that has come to the screen in many moons and it should be a heavy business-getter at the box-office. It is a great credit to Frank Lloyd, its producer and director, who has blended action, romance and comedy effectively. It has brilliant performances by Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, France Dee, C.V. France and Ellen Drew. In fact, Colman has never done better work than as Francois Villon, the gutter poet and adventurer who saved Paris from the invading Burgundians, while Rathbone is splendid in a new characterization as the eccentric Louis XI. Frances is beautiful and convincing as a member of the Royal Court who comes to the rescue of Francois Villon. Ellen Drew scores as a member of the rabble who is in love with Francis. C.V. France is fine as a knowing priest, who reared the adventurous Francois. Stanley Ridges, Alma Lloyd, Heather Thatcher, Henry Wilcoxon and Walter Kingsford are among the capable principals. Preston Sturges contributed an exceptionally entertaining screenplay, with his dialogue being especially good. Lou Smith rates credit as associate producer. An important factor is the background music by Dr. Richard Hageman with Boris Morros responsible for the musical direction. Theodor Sparkuhl furnished excellent photography. King Louis XI singles out Francois Villon, leader of the starving rabble and places him at the head of the French Army. He gives Francois only one week to rule and as the week ends he decrees that Francois should be beheaded. Louis XI's former General also plot against Francois but find that their army will not fight against the Burgundians. Francois becomes the hero of the day when he leads his old comrades, members of the rabble and repulses the Burgundians. Of course he also wins the heart of the fair Frances. The Film Daily, September 19, 1938 |
François Villon was a real person, a poet who was born in or near Paris in 1431. Born François de Montcorbier, he was later named Villon after the priest who adopted him at age 6. His poems are a frank expression of what he saw and felt, a colorful picture of life in 15th century Paris. But he also killed a priest, stole money, and was involved in illegal escapades and brawls. He was arrested and eventually banished from Paris. The character of Villon portrayed in this movie is a Hollywood hero, a Robin Hood-type character who champions the people against oppression. He's much more of a gentleman than the real François Villon. The real King Louis XI was a despot, who used bribery, intrigue and treachery to consolidate power. Rathbone's portrayal of the cold and calculating monarch was spot on. The character in the film is also very shrewd, eccentric, and has an annoying, cackling laugh.
If I Were King is an outstanding movie with a first-rate cast. Colman is perfect as Villon. Rathbone's portrayal of Louis XI was one of his best performances. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, but he lost to Walter Brennan (for Kentucky). The film also received Oscar nominations for Best Score (Richard Hageman), Best Art Direction (Hans Dreier, John B. Goodman), and Best Sound (L.L. Ryder). The Preston Sturges screenplay is excellent as well, providing Rathbone and Colman with very witty dialogue. The make-up artist should have won an OscarRathbone is nearly unrecognizable as Louis.
The character that Rathbone has created is unlike any other characters that he has played. In an article that appeared in Film Weekly, Rathbone said, "Louis was a colorful as well as cruel personality: he even applied a certain curious sense of humor to his torture, which makes him a much more interesting study than if he'd been merely a pompous old terror." (W.H. Mooring, "Rathbone and the Handlebars," Film Weekly, July 23, 1938)
By 1938 Basil Rathbone was getting fed up with playing villains and complained about being typecast. But he didn't complain about playing Louis XI. Rathbone felt that in If I Were King he had an opening for a real, understandable characterization, which he didn't have when playing the typical "heavy."
 King Louis appoints Villon as his new Grand Constable. |
 King Louis laughs at his joke against Villon. |
This was the last film in which Basil Rathbone and Ronald Colman. They were both in A Tale of Two Cities (1935), but did not act in any scenes together.
Ellen Drew (Huguette) later starred with Basil Rathbone in The Mad Doctor (1941).
Heather Thatcher (the Queen) had previously acted with Rathbone in Tovarich (1937) and Loyalties (1933).
Ralph Forbes (who played Oliver le Dain) appeared in several films with Basil Rathbone: The Lady of Scandal (1930), Romeo and Juliet (1936), Make a Wish (1937), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939), Tower of London (1939), and Frenchman's Creek (1944).
Alma Lloyd, who played the role of Colette, was the daughter of Frank Lloyd, the director/producer.
William Farnum, who played General Barbezier, played Villon in the 1920 silent version of the film.
Other versions of the Villon story that were filmed include If I Were King (1920), The Beloved Rogue (1927), and The Vagabond King (1930, 1955).
If I Were King Paramount made a happy and profitable choice in deciding to turn out a new version of the adventures of Francois Villon. 'If I Were King' is healthy box office that will hit extended runs right down the line and finish as one of the top grossers of the company's fall releases. Title itself is well known as a standard piece of historical fiction, and would probably carry marquee strength of its own for sufficient exploitation and selling. But with Ronald Colman in his first appearance in a year (last in 'Prisoner of Zenda'), combo has substantial possibilities. In some spots name of producer-director Frank Lloyd (director of 'Mutiny on the Bounty,' 'Cavalcade' and 'Wells Fargo') will further assist in gaining attention. 'If I Were King' is a well-mounted and splendid production that carries along at a fascinating pace throughout its 100 minutes. Producer-director Frank Lloyd has turned out a masterful job. Retaining intimacy of characterizations and story throughout, he does not allow the audience to wander through a maze of spectacular sets and mob scenes with possibility of losing interest in the objective. Story is handled with deftness and lightness, but very little of the melodramatic. His seems a tongue-in-cheek angle in direction to provide the utmost in wholesome entertainment. Colman's delineation of the adventurous poet-philosopher, Villon, is excellent, carrying through it a verve and spontaneity for an outstanding performance. Basil Rathbone brilliantly handles the difficult assignment of the eccentric, weazened Louis XI, a role that requires delicacy and shading of characterization in every scene. Close intimacy of audience to story progress is maintained in fast-tempo script by Preston Sturges, who has provided much sparkling dialog to greatly enhance entertainment factors. Cross-dialog and repartee between Villon and Louis XI is particularly noteworthy. After quickly establishing Villon as the hero and leader of the Paris mobs, events bring him and the king together. Appointed grand constable of France and Brittany by the mischief-conniving Louis, in the palace Villon champions the people against the king and his arrogant advisersto the amusement of Louis. But the latter soon tires of his amusement with Villon, and is ready to put him on a gibbet when the armies of Burgundy break through the city gates. Villon leads his rabble against the invaders for a complete rout and gains the sincere gratitude of the king and city. Newcomer Ellen Drew handles the difficult role of Huguette, girl of the slums, for one of the outstanding performances. Interpretation of Katherine by Frances Dee is delivered with sincerity. Particular excellence of supporting cast makes for well-rounded delineations of the varied characterizations. Paramount has given 'If I Were Kin' a fine mounting in which to unfold this romantic and adventurous comedy drama. Art direction is tops, with photography particularly effective. Picture is studded with numerous standout scenes. Meeting of Villon with Katherine for the first time at the church; appointment of Villon as grand constable by Louis; freeing by Villon of his followers, who were taken prisoners with him at the slum tavern; Villon's ultimatum to the Burgundian heraldthese are a few of the many sequences that are put over by top direction and top-ranking artists. Variety, September 21, 1938 |
More than 200 craftsmen were needed to build sets covering more than 100,000 square feet of ground. A reconstruction of the throne room was 80 feet wide and 140 feet long.
Some 25,000 props were assembled; weapons, armor and trappings valued at $100,000 were secured or made; 75 seamstresses created 2100 period costumes; 300 pieces of medieval jewelry were made; and 100 pieces of furniture were constructed. Complete suits of armor were made for various characters in Paramount's workshops.
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The film premiered in New York City on September 28, 1938. More than a week in advance of the picture's opening, Basil Rathbone arrived in NYC and was interviewed by leading feature writers of the metropolitan dailies, resulting in advance publicity for the film. On the night of the premiere. Rathbone was the guest of honor.
Publicity was also generated by a two-week contest offering cash prizes and based on questions to be answered on the subject, "What I Would Do If I Were King," that was arranged with the Journal-American. The contest started a week in advance of the premiere, and continued during the first week of the engagement. The winners of the 15 cash prizes were announced on the third week, thus giving If I Were King complete publicity coverage for three weeks.
Red Book Magazine featured If I Were King as the best picture of the month in its September 1938 issue.
In October, Basil Rathbone went on a publicity tour for If I Were King, making personal appearances in New England cities, including New Haven and Boston.
"If I Were King" with Ronald Colman, Basil
Rathbone and Frances Dee Very good; the production is lavish and the performances are excellent. Produced three times before, the last time in 1930, under the title "The Vagabond King," this still offers the type of entertainment that the masses should go foradventure, comedy, thrills, and romance; unlike the last version, however, this has no music. There is exciting action throughout; particularly thrilling are the closing scenes in which the hero leads his men in a battle against enemy invaders. The action takes place in France: Eager to find out the names of those who were plotting against him with the Burgundians, traitors who had blockaded Paris, King Louis XI (Basil Rathbone), disguised, goes to a tavern where he knew the plotters would meet. There he finds Francois Villon (Ronald Colman) and his gang of ruffians, who were making merry with food and wine they had stolen from the King's storehouse. The King becomes interested in what Villon had to say about what he would do if he were King. Soldiers, headed by the Grand Constable (John Miljan), who had followed Villon to the tavern, enter and in a battle Villon kills the Grand Constable; the King then reveals his identity and orders the arrest of every one at the tavern. Having found out that the Grand constable had been the chief plotter, the King is grateful to Villon for killing him, but he feels he should be punished. But first, for his own amusement, he appoints Villon Grand Constable, with full powers to do a she pleased; Villon naturally releases all his friends. Villon suggests that the King's army attack the Burgundians, but the generals disapprove of such tactics; the King tells Villon to prepare for his own hanging. at the suggestion of Lady Katherine DeVaucelles (Frances Dee), with whom he had fallen in love, Villon decides to open the King's storehouses to the hungry populace; left without food, the King is compelled to issue orders for his men to fight. Through Villon's bravery, the enemy is routed. The King pardons him and permits him to leave the country; Lady Katherine follows Villon. The plot was adapted from the play by Justin H. McCarthy; Preston Sturgis wrote the screen play, Frank Lloyd directed and produced it, with Lou Smith as associate producer. In the cast are Ellen Drew, Alma Lloyd, Colin Tapley, and others. Suitability, Class A. Harrison's Reports, October 8, 1938 |
"Abounds in the sweeping pageantry and spectacle characteristic of Producer-Director Frank Lloyd's efforts. It unfolds a stirring story based on the saving of Paris by Francois Villon and is elevated to epical heights through a brace of brilliant performances by Ronald Colman as the beloved beggar-poet and Basil Rathbone as King Louis XI. The latter's portrayal of the cold and calculating monarch with a redeeming sense of humor is exceptionally fine-grained and establishes the British actor even more firmly in filmdom's top flight." Box Office, September 24, 1938
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"Good, honest old 'If I Were King' has come to life again, and is still, I think, rather a comfort. Ronald Colman makes a fine poet and braggart, quick with the sword and glib with the tongue, and Basil Rathbone is a sly and subtle Louis XI. Ellen Drew as Huguette, the wench of the wine cellars, upsets the course the plot is supposed to take, as she, the unkempt little thing, draws our sympathies away from the frosty Katherine de Vaucelles of Frances Dee. Paramount has built a handsome old Paris for us, Gothic to the last arch, well equipped with torture chambers, battlements, and narrow medieval streets." John Mosher, The New Yorker, October 1, 1938
If I Were King Hilaire Belloc has said that Francois Villon's verse is "the living voice of a man right out of 15th century Paris," and this awareness makes his legend a provocative subject for stories of romantic adventure. "If I Were King" idealizes Villon and Katherine de Vaucelles: VillonUniversity student and poet but a rascal consorting with thieves and blackguards, is led to assist Louis XI in the defence of Paris against the Burundians; and Katherine, metamorphosed into a lovely lady-in-waiting to the Queen, follows him into exile. In settings and action we are thrust into the fascinating Paris of the Middle Ages with all its beauty and its social insecurity. While it is an entertaining enough picture, full of action and excitement, the skilfully etched portrait of the crafty, amusing Louis, given by Basil Rathbone will remain long in our memory. Among the women Ellen Drew as Hugette is by far the best. Motion Picture Reviews, October 1938 |
"On the screen Rathbone has created a living character, complete with one of the best cackles it has been our privilege to hear, a nervous grimace, a different way of walking , a voice unlike any he has used before. He has created a subtle, disillusioned, shrewd and shrewish old nobleman whose sarcastic with is intrigues for a week in distracting his court and bewildering a beggar by giving him kingly power ... and a death sentence." Llewellyn Miller, "The Show Goes On," Hollywood, December 1938
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See Page Two for more reviews and pictures. See Page Three for pictures of posters, lobby cards and promo photos.
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If I Were King is available on DVD
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Images on this page and pages two and three are from the film If I Were King, copyright Paramount Pictures.
