IMDb > The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
The Prisoner of Zenda
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   1,575 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Cromwell
(more)
Writers:
Anthony Hope (novel)
John L. Balderston (screenplay)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Prisoner of Zenda on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 September 1937 (USA) more
Tagline:
The most thrilling swordfight ever filmed... more
Plot:
An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win more
User Comments:
A summary of the best movie of all time! more (31 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Ronald Colman ... Major Rudolf Rassendyll / The Prisoner of Zenda
Madeleine Carroll ... Princess Flavia
C. Aubrey Smith ... Colonel Zapt
Raymond Massey ... Black Michael
Mary Astor ... Antoinette de Mauban

David Niven ... Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. ... Rupert of Hentzau
Montagu Love ... Detchard
Philip Sleeman ... Albert von Lauengram (a conspirator)
Eleanor Wesselhoeft ... Frau Holf - Cook
Florence Roberts ... Duenna (scenes deleted)
Torben Meyer ... Max - Butler
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Arthur Byron ... (scenes deleted)
Francis Ford ... (scenes deleted)
Margaret Tallichet ... (scenes deleted)
Wilhelm von Brincken ... Krafstein
Evelyn Beresford ... Lady Topham (uncredited)
Spencer Charters ... Railroad Porter (uncredited)
D'Arcy Corrigan ... Traveler (uncredited)
Alexander D'Arcy ... De Gautet (uncredited)
Ralph Faulkner ... Bersonin (uncredited)
Byron Foulger ... Johann (uncredited)
Charles K. French ... Bishop (uncredited)
Otto Fries ... Luggage officer (uncredited)
Lawrence Grant ... Marshal Strakencz (uncredited)
Charles Halton ... Passport Officer (uncredited)
Lillian Harmer ... Traveler (uncredited)
Boyd Irwin ... Master of Ceremonies (uncredited)
Emmett King ... Lord High Chamberlain (uncredited)
Howard Lang ... Josef (uncredited)
Ian Maclaren ... Cardinal (uncredited)
Alexander Pollard ... Court Officer (uncredited)
Russ Powell ... Traveler (uncredited)
Henry Roquemore ... Man with female traveler (uncredited)
Al Shean ... Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
Leslie Sketchley ... Guard at lodge (uncredited)
Pat Somerset ... Guard at lodge (uncredited)
Ben Webster ... Lord Topham (uncredited)
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
John Cromwell 
W.S. Van Dyke (uncredited)
 
Writing credits
Anthony Hope (novel "The Prisoner of Zenda")

John L. Balderston (screenplay)

Edward E. Rose (dramatization) (as Edward Rose)

Wells Root (adaptation)

Donald Ogden Stewart (additional dialogue)

Ben Hecht  uncredited and
Sidney Howard  uncredited

Produced by
David O. Selznick .... producer
 
Original Music by
Alfred Newman 
 
Cinematography by
James Wong Howe 
Bert Glennon (uncredited)
 
Film Editing by
James E. Newcom 
 
Art Direction by
Lyle R. Wheeler  (as Lyle Wheeler)
 
Costume Design by
Ernest Dryden  (as Ernst Dryden)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Fred Spencer .... assistant director (as Frederick A. Spencer)
George Cukor .... director, added scenes (uncredited)
W.S. Van Dyke .... director, fencing sequences (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Casey Roberts .... interior decorator
 
Sound Department
Oscar Lagerstrom .... sound recordist
 
Special Effects by
Jack Cosgrove .... special effects
John M. Nickolaus .... special effects (uncredited)
Harry Redmond Jr. .... special effects (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Fred Cavens .... fencing stunts
Ralph Faulkner .... fencing double (uncredited)
Jean Heremans .... fencing master (uncredited)
Dick Simmons .... stunt double: Ronald Colman (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
Hal C. Kern .... supervising editor
 
Other crew
Ivar Enhörning .... technical advisor (as Colonel Ivar Enhorning)
Prince Sigvard Bernadotte .... technical advisor
William H. Wright .... assistant to producer
Russell Birdwell .... publicity chief (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
101 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #3356) | West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
California, USA

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
As a publicity stunt, publicity chief Russell Birdwell flew from Zenda, Ontario, Canada (named for the fictional kingdom) along with 12 residents, to the New York world premiere. He also had the mayor of Los Angeles start a fencing tournament. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Princess Flavia gives Rassendyll a red rose in the garden. As it lies on a book a little while later, it is white. more
Quotes:
Princess Flavia: In my heart there is no King, no crown - only you! more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in The Prisoner of Zenda (1979) more
Soundtrack:
On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op.314 more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
A summary of the best movie of all time!, 6 July 1999
10/10
Author: Adina Ophira Zidon (astrologist@earthlink.net) from Massachusetts, USA

The Prisoner of Zenda, based somewhat obviously on Shakespeare's The Tempest, is a film that has something for everyone. There's action, adventure, romance, suspense, and swashbuckling. It's a historical film, and over the years hasn't really aged, so it remains fantastic 62 years later. The cast is first rate, especially because the male leads-Ronald Colman, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and David Niven-are so handsome and talented, mainly Doug. In the best role of his career, he wields swords, cigarettes, and sticks with an airy sensuality and was deprived of a much-deserved Oscar nomination. The sets and costumes are so magnificently detailed, that you'll wish it was in color. And the script is perfect, with some very witty lines. And the musical score is excellent. Anyone who wants to see a movie with all the basic ingredients for 110 minutes of sheer entertainment should seek this one out.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (31 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
R Coleman ksf-2
DVD Release--March 6, 2007 dnscal
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Prisoner of Zenda The Prisoner of Zenda Stardust The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Gone with the Wind
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Adventure section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.