If I Were King | MOVIE MUSIC UK

IF I WERE KING – Richard Hageman

December 18, 2023 Leave a comment

GREATEST SCORES OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

Original Review by Craig Lysy

In 1937 Paramount Pictures studio executives were seeking a period piece as a vehicle to showcase studio star Ronald Coleman. They found their story with the 1901 biographical novel and play titled “If I Were King” by Justin Huntly McCarthy. Frank Lloyd was placed in charge of production with a $1 million budget, would also direct, and Preston Sturges was hired to write the screenplay. Ronald Coleman would star as Francois Villon, joined by Basil Rathborne as King Louis XI, Frances Dee as Katherine DeVaucelles, Ellen Drew as Huguette, Bruce Lester as Noel le Jolys, and C. V. France as Father Villon. Read more…