paris, france,based on novel or book,imprisonment,cowardice,poet,romance,torture,king,impersonation,nobility,starvation,poor,turncoat,15th century,battle of wits,thieves,leadership,witty,ideals,besieged city,rabble

If I Were King (1938)

Poster for If I Were King

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

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.

Cast & Crew

Director
Frank Lloyd
  • Profile picture of Ronald Colman
    François Villon Ronald Colman
  • Profile picture of Basil Rathbone
    Louis XI Basil Rathbone
  • Profile picture of Frances Dee
    Katherine de Vaucelles Frances Dee
  • Profile picture of Ellen Drew
    Huguette Ellen Drew
  • Profile picture of C. V. France
    Father Villon C. V. France
  • Profile picture of Henry Wilcoxon
    Captain of the Watch Henry Wilcoxon
  • Profile picture of Heather Thatcher
    The Queen Heather Thatcher
  • Profile picture of Stanley Ridges
    Rene de Montigny Stanley Ridges

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Keywords

  • paris, france
  • based on novel or book
  • imprisonment
  • cowardice
  • poet
  • romance
  • torture
  • king
  • impersonation
  • nobility
  • starvation
  • poor
  • turncoat
  • 15th century
  • battle of wits
  • thieves
  • leadership
  • witty
  • ideals
  • besieged city
  • rabble