Adventure ·History · United States of America · 1938 · 1h 41m

If I Were King

Director

Cast

Ronald Colman as François Villon Basil Rathbone as Louis XI Frances Dee as Katherine de Vaucelles Ellen Drew as Huguette C. V. France as Father Villon Henry Wilcoxon as Captain of the Watch

Crew

Theodor Sparkuhl — Director of Photography Hugh Bennett — Editor Richard Hageman — Original Music Composer Preston Sturges — Screenplay Frank Lloyd — Producer Edith Head — Costume Design

Tagline

His Love-Making Was as Dangerous as His Sword-Play

Synopsis

King Louis XI masquerades as a commoner in Paris, seeking out the treachery he is sure lurks in his kingdom. At a local tavern, he overhears the brash poet François Villon extolling why he would be a better king. Annoyed yet intrigued, the King bestows on Villon the title of Grand Constable. Soon Villon begins work and falls for a lovely lady-in-waiting, but then must flee execution when the King turns on him.

Mood & Themes

paris, france based on novel or book imprisonment cowardice poet romance thief torture king impersonation nobility starvation

Key Collaborators

Frank Lloyd Director Theodor Sparkuhl Director of Photography Hugh Bennett Editor Richard Hageman Original Music Composer Preston Sturges Screenplay Frank Lloyd Producer Edith Head Costume Design

Follow the Thread

Frank Lloyd directed If I Were King. Explore their complete filmography and the collaborators who shaped their vision.

Frank Lloyd's filmography → More Adventure → More History → Theodor Sparkuhl's cinematography →

Agent-readable