THE KING'S VACATION

US, 1933, 61 minutes, Black and white.
George Arliss, Florence Arliss, Marjorie Gateson, Patricia Ellis, Dudley Digges, Dick Powell.
Directed by John G. Adolfi.

George Arliss won an Academy award for his portrayal of Disraeli, a remake of his silent film, Disraeli, directed by John G. Adolfi. Arliss portrayed a number of historical characters in the 1930s including the Duke of Wellington, Voltaire, Cardinal Richelieu, the Rothschilds.

This is a film which reflects some of the kingdoms in Eastern Europe during the 1930s, revolutions and abdications – and is particularly interesting in retrospect with the abdication of Edward VIII in England.

King Philip came unwillingly to the throne after the deaths of several successors and ruled for 18 years. He is opposed to pomp and finds the daily schedule too demanding. Revolution is in the air, royalty wants to keep its place, he abdicates and goes to live quietly – although there is a delegation to ask him to return. He meets his former love who has had lifelong ambitions to be the Queen and live in extravagant lifestyle. He meets his daughter who is in love with a mechanic, played by Dick Powell in an early role. He also discovers his love for the woman who had been his Queen, very formally, for 18 years.

A very short running time but an engaging performance by George Arliss and interesting in terms of royalty, pomp, abdications.

1. A film of the 1930s, royalty in Europe at the time, revolutions, applications? Looked at in retrospect? Especially the situation in England?

2. Black-and-white photography, the sets of the kingdom, the towns? The musical score? Drink to me only with thine eyes…? The cast?

3. Philip, in himself, unwilling to be King, 18 years, the annulment of his marriage to Helen, the loss of his daughter? Margaret as the Queen? Formal? The style of the Palace, the majordomo, the military, the detailed schedules, the changing uniforms? Seeing the family, so many children? The military inspections? The dedication of the statue? Signing documents – unwillingly? Sending messages for the health of the Queen and their return?

4. His attitude, anti-pomp, liking the people, sympathetic to the revolution?

5. Meeting the public, the assassination attempt, his decision to seek the young man, the discussion, no execution, the man later cheering him on his abdication?

6. On the yacht, with the Margaret, the new home, the reality of his relationship with Margaret, her house, the suggestion that there was Mr X?

7. Meeting Helen again, the 18 year’s absence? Her wanting to be Queen, her lavish lifestyle, fashions? Millie, meeting her father again, her love for John? Her mother’s snobbery, forbidding the relationship with John, the speech and her spurning of mechanics? The plan for the wedding, all her friends and guests, her wanting the tiara, Philip going to the auction? Going to the cottage, her not wanting to revive the past? Her suitor and his leaving? Her lies to Philip?

8. Philip and Millie, going to the garage, finding John, the motor, the discussions about it, Phillip giving advice, supporting the marriage?

9. The delegation to ask him to return to being King, Helen’s great desire to be Queen, his refusal?

10. Going to the auction, the chance encounter with Margaret, returning home, enjoying her company, the discussions, that there was no Mr X? The truth about his love for her?

11. Breaking off with Helen, her having her suitor? His returning to Margaret, and happy ending?