{"id":49070,"date":"2020-06-18T10:23:38","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T17:23:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=49070"},"modified":"2021-02-05T17:24:39","modified_gmt":"2021-02-06T00:24:39","slug":"prisoner-of-zenda-the-1937","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=49070","title":{"rendered":"Prisoner of Zenda, The (1937)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;History is born out of a bottle of wine.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Poster-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-49072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Poster-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Poster-85x128.jpg 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Poster.jpg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAn Englishman (Ronald Colman) vacationing in Ruritania is instantly spotted as a doppelganger for Rudolf V (Ronald Colman), who is due to become king the next day. When Rudolf V is drugged and kidnapped by his power-hungry brother (Raymond Massey) at a drinking party, Rudolf&#8217;s loyal assistants (C. Aubrey Smith and David Niven) enlist the help of British Colman to pose as the king and engage in a marriage ceremony with Princess Flavia (Madeleine Carroll). Complications ensue when British Colman and Carroll fall genuinely in love with one another; meanwhile, Massey&#8217;s long-time love (Mary Astor) will do whatever it takes to prevent Massey from achieving his ambitions, and Massey&#8217;s villainous side-kick (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) is ready for lethal action.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>David Niven Films<\/li>\n<li>Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Films<\/li>\n<li>John Cromwell Films<\/li>\n<li>Madeleine Carroll Films<\/li>\n<li>Mary Astor Films<\/li>\n<li>Mistaken or Hidden Identities<\/li>\n<li>Raymond Massey Films<\/li>\n<li>Ronald Colman Films<\/li>\n<li>Royalty and Nobility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that while &#8220;it&#8217;s a bit dated&#8221;, this remains &#8220;the best of the five film versions of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Prisoner_of_Zenda\">Anthony Hope&#8217;s novel<\/a>,&#8221; representing &#8220;the type of story that Hollywood was meant to tell.&#8221; He points out that it &#8220;has fine acting, exciting action sequences (including a swordfight between Colman and Fairbanks), romance between the appealing Carroll and Colman, lavish sets, striking sepia-toned cinematography, stylish direction by John Cromwell&#8221;, and a &#8220;top-rate cast&#8221;, specifically calling out Ronald Colman for his &#8220;dashing yet elegant performance as an Englishman who impersonates his kidnapped Cousin, the King of Ruritania.&#8221; I agree with Peary that this adventure tale is well mounted and contains all the ingredients necessary for a rousing thriller &#8212; including mistaken identities, complicated love affairs, loyal assistants (of both good and evil), and much excitement. I&#8217;m especially fond of Astor as a woman inexplicably devoted to Massey&#8217;s turgid would-be monarch; she&#8217;s proof that love really knows no reason. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fine performances by the entire cast\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-1024x653.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"408\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-49079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-1024x653.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-128x82.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-768x490.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-1536x979.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman.png 1605w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Carroll.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Carroll-1024x635.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"397\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-49077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Carroll-1024x635.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Carroll-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Carroll-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Carroll-768x476.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Carroll-1536x952.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Carroll.png 1663w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Astor.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Astor-1024x647.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"404\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-49076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Astor-1024x647.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Astor-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Astor-128x81.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Astor-768x485.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Astor-1536x971.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Astor.png 1603w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-Fairbanks.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-Fairbanks-1024x641.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"401\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-49078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-Fairbanks-1024x641.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-Fairbanks-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-Fairbanks-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-Fairbanks-768x481.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-Fairbanks-1536x962.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Colman-Fairbanks.png 1633w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>James Wong Howe&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still4-1024x632.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"395\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-49082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still4-1024x632.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still4-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still4-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still4-768x474.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still4-1536x948.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still4.png 1657w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fittingly regal sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still3-1024x630.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"394\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-49081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still3-1024x630.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still3-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still3-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still3-768x472.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still3-1536x945.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Still3.png 1637w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>The exciting sword duel<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Sword-Fight.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Sword-Fight-1024x644.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"403\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-49075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Sword-Fight-1024x644.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Sword-Fight-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Sword-Fight-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Sword-Fight-768x483.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Sword-Fight-1536x965.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Prisoner-of-Zenda-Sword-Fight.png 1631w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a &#8220;good show&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good Show<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0029442\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/87182\/the-prisoner-of-zenda#articles-reviews?articleId=1074610\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s2239lit.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/the-prisoner-of-zenda\/review\/109852\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;History is born out of a bottle of wine.&#8221; Synopsis: An Englishman (Ronald Colman) vacationing in Ruritania is instantly spotted as a doppelganger for Rudolf V (Ronald Colman), who is due to become king the next day. When Rudolf V is drugged and kidnapped by his power-hungry brother (Raymond Massey) at a drinking party, Rudolf&#8217;s loyal assistants (C. Aubrey Smith and David Niven) enlist the help of British Colman to pose as the king and engage in a marriage ceremony&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=49070\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49070"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69041,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49070\/revisions\/69041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=49070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=49070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}