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dangermousiePrisoner of Zenda was a hugely popular swashbuckler novel by Anthony Hope. It (and its sequel "Rupert of Henzau") is still in print, over a hundred years after it was first published. It tells the story of Rudolf Rassendyl, a dashing English gentleman who bears an uncanny resemblance to the ruler of the fictional kingdom of Ruritania (one of the King's ancestors had a bit of fun on the side, apparently). Rassendyl masquerades as the king in order to save the country from a treacherous plot and in the process he wins the heart of the beautiful princess Flavia. There are political intrigues, swashbuckling duels, star-crossed lovers, and one of the best villains ever, Rupert of Henzau (actually the second in command of Michael, the King's evil brother, but he steals the show).
It's also one a a few good books lucky to have a good adaptation (I have to say, David O. Selznick always did good adaptations: this, GWTW, Tale of Two Cities, Rebecca, David Copperfield). An excellent (and easy to find) movie version of the book was made in 1937. It starred the man with the sexiest voice ever (IMO) Ronald Colman as Rudolf (my favorite of his roles is as Smithy in the three-hanky weepie "Random Harvest," but this is damn close) Madeleine Carroll as Flavia (she was also in Hitchcok's "39 Steps"), and Douglas Fairbanks Jr (if anyone has read Patricia Veryan's "These Poor Splendid Wings" about RAF flyers, he is the dead ringer for my favorite character in that book, Joe Lane) stealing the movie in my favorite ever role of his as Rupert.
There are lovely pictures behind the cut.
Rupert being quite sexy. I bet there would have been a lot of Rupert/Rudolf slash if the movie came out now, as Rupert is charming, unscrupulous, and excellent duellist and quotes poetry:
R & R going at it:
Rupert with the mistress of his boss, played by Mary Astor:
More Rupert (I don't generally go for the bad guys, but...)
Rudolf and Flavia:
Rudolf and Fritz (one of the people who talks Rudy into staying. He's played by David Niven):
Mmmm, love the sets:
Not that the clothes are bad:
It's also one a a few good books lucky to have a good adaptation (I have to say, David O. Selznick always did good adaptations: this, GWTW, Tale of Two Cities, Rebecca, David Copperfield). An excellent (and easy to find) movie version of the book was made in 1937. It starred the man with the sexiest voice ever (IMO) Ronald Colman as Rudolf (my favorite of his roles is as Smithy in the three-hanky weepie "Random Harvest," but this is damn close) Madeleine Carroll as Flavia (she was also in Hitchcok's "39 Steps"), and Douglas Fairbanks Jr (if anyone has read Patricia Veryan's "These Poor Splendid Wings" about RAF flyers, he is the dead ringer for my favorite character in that book, Joe Lane) stealing the movie in my favorite ever role of his as Rupert.
There are lovely pictures behind the cut.
Rupert being quite sexy. I bet there would have been a lot of Rupert/Rudolf slash if the movie came out now, as Rupert is charming, unscrupulous, and excellent duellist and quotes poetry:
R & R going at it:
Rupert with the mistress of his boss, played by Mary Astor:
More Rupert (I don't generally go for the bad guys, but...)
Rudolf and Flavia:
Rudolf and Fritz (one of the people who talks Rudy into staying. He's played by David Niven):
Mmmm, love the sets:
Not that the clothes are bad:
