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Catalog/Adventure/If I Were King
If I Were King poster
A
Excellent
MASTER SCORE 71.1 / 100
1938·Adventure / History·1h 41m

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.

Above the Line
Frank Lloyd·DirectorPreston Sturges·ScreenplayJustin Huntly McCarthy·Theatre PlayTheodor Sparkuhl·Director of PhotographyRichard Hageman·Original Music ComposerHugh Bennett·Editor
Cast
Ronald Colman·François VillonBasil Rathbone·Louis XIFrances Dee·Katherine de VaucellesEllen Drew·HuguetteC. V. France·Father VillonHenry Wilcoxon·Captain of the WatchHeather Thatcher·The QueenStanley Ridges·Rene de MontignyBruce Lester·Noel de JolysAlma Lloyd·Colette
Full Crew
(30 credits)
Directing· 3
Frank Lloyd·DirectorWilliam Tummel·Assistant DirectorHarry Scott·Second Assistant Director
Writing· 2
Preston Sturges·ScreenplayJustin Huntly McCarthy·Theatre Play
Camera· 3
Theodor Sparkuhl·Director of PhotographyLothrop B. Worth·Assistant CameraGuy Bennett·Additional Camera
Editing· 1
Hugh Bennett·Editor
Sound & Music· 7
Richard Hageman·Original Music ComposerLoren L. Ryder·SoundMilan Roder·Additional MusicJohn Cope·SoundHarold Lewis·SoundLucien Cailliet·OrchestratorBoris Morros·Music Director
Art & Design· 5
Hans Dreier·Art DirectionJohn B. Goodman·Art DirectionEdith Head·Costume DesignWally Westmore·Makeup ArtistA. E. Freudeman·Interior Designer
Production· 4
Frank Lloyd·ProducerWilliam LeBaron·Executive ProducerWaldo Twitchell·ResearcherLou Smith·Associate Producer
Other Departments· 5
Adolph Zukor·PresenterGordon Jennings·Visual EffectsGordon Jennings·Special EffectsGaston Valcourt·Dialogue CoachLou Smith·Additional Writing
By the Numbers
71.1
OF 100
Master Score
7.1
OF 10
IMDb
—
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
—
Worldwide Gross
0
4 NOMS
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch

THE AVAILABILITY MAP

The canonical record of where this film lives across the streaming map.

Provider Index In Progress

Streaming, rental, and purchase availability for this title is being ingested from the TMDB watch-providers feed and will appear here once the next catalog refresh runs. Until then, the canonical source links below remain the fastest route.

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Poster DNA

THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION

A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind If I Were King's key art.

Dominant Palette
3 colors
#D8704A
#E5D5B7
#4A382F
Mood
Romantic, Historical
Composition
Layered
Era
1930s
Visual Style
Painted

“The movie poster for "If I Were King" features a group of people in what appears to be a historical setting. In the background, a man in a purple tunic and blac”

romancefantasy
Key Elements
SwordCapeTunic
Atmosphere
Vibrant
Color Mood
Warm
Setting
Fantasy
Design Score
7/10
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