The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)
I've seen three versions of The Prisoner of Zenda, and the 1952 version is by far my least favorite. It's a wonderful, adventurous story that has to be botched terribly to not be enjoyable, and miraculously enough, this version succeeds. I'm really not a Stewart Granger fan, and his performance in the dual role is lackluster. Deborah Kerr doesn't have much opportunity to shine in the throwaway part of Princess Flavia, but she also doesn't add anything to the movie. James Mason is unimaginatively cast as the villain, which is a shame because he could have easily been the hero if Hollywood hadn't typecast him. How can you manage to make a story about a kidnapped king and a lookalike impersonator so boring? If you really care to know, rent this version. If you want to see the best version, check out Ronald Colman from 1937, or if you like silent movies, check out the 1922 impressive epic.
The cutest part of the movie is the appearance of Lewis Stone as the cardinal. It's a small part, but it's a very fitting last role for him. Thirty years earlier, he starred as both leads in the silent film version of The Prisoner of Zenda, after having tackled the role on the stage. It's been a long thirty years for Lew, so you won't see him sword fighting or running backwards up the castle's staircase, but it's a very nice way for his fans to say goodbye.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Deborah Kerr movies here!
More Lewis Stone movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1922's The Prisoner of Zenda here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1937's The Prisoner of Zenda here!
The cutest part of the movie is the appearance of Lewis Stone as the cardinal. It's a small part, but it's a very fitting last role for him. Thirty years earlier, he starred as both leads in the silent film version of The Prisoner of Zenda, after having tackled the role on the stage. It's been a long thirty years for Lew, so you won't see him sword fighting or running backwards up the castle's staircase, but it's a very nice way for his fans to say goodbye.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Deborah Kerr movies here!
More Lewis Stone movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1922's The Prisoner of Zenda here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1937's The Prisoner of Zenda here!