Themes: Opposites Attract, Class Differences, Crowned Heads
Main Cast: Ramon Novarro, Norma Shearer, Jean Hersholt, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Philippe DeLacy
Release Year: 1927
Country: US
Run Time: 102 minutes
Plot
Even without the benefit of sound, The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg seems to be inundated by Franz Lehar's unforgettable songs. Director Ernst Lubitsch fashioned a gloriously schmaltzy, delightfully artificial rendition of the 1924 Lehar opera, which in turn was based on the 1902 play In Old Heidelberg. Ramon Novarro plays the title role, an ever-carousing young monarch who falls in love with ebullient barmaid Norma Shearer. Fully willing to forsake his crown for her sake, Novarro chooses duty over love when his country is threatened with revolution. He tries to let Shearer down gently, but it is clear that she will never quite get over her summer romance. Such is the genius of Ernst Lubitsch that the 1927 version of Student Prince seems a lot more alive and far less dated than the 1954 Technicolor remake. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg plays like the romantic parts of The Prisoner of Zenda without the adventure element, particularly in this Ernst Lubitsch silent version that was produced without songs. Visually, the film is top-notch, aided greatly by the work of MGM set designers, including Cedric Gibbons and Edgar G. Ulmer. The cinematography of John Mescall is crisp and suitably lush when needed, enhancing the fine performances of Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer as the prince and the woman for whom he is willing to sacrifice his crown. Previously filmed as early as 1915, and remade several times since, the story holds the highest critical regard in this Lubitsch version, despite the limitations of the silent format, most notably for the charismatic lead performances and the director's storytelling skills. As with several silent films, a fully orchestrated version was later produced, after the director had died and could have no input on the project. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide
Many critics consider it one of Lubitsch's finest silent films, and it has received better reviews than MGM's 1954colorremake based on Sigmund Romberg's operetta version of the story, although the newer version is a sound film and the songs are obviously heard.
Fräulein Seifenschaum ·Aufs Eis Geführt ·Blindekuh ·Zucker Und Zimmt ·Der Erste Patient ·Der Letzte Anzug ·Der Kraftmeier ·Wo Ist Mein Schatz? ·Schuhpalast Pinkus ·Der Gemischte Frauenchor ·Das Schönste Geschenk ·Der G.m.b.H. Tenor ·Leutnant auf Befehl ·Seine Neue Nase ·Ossis Tagebuch ·Der Blusenkönig ·Wenn Vier Dasselbe Tun ·Das Fidele Gefängnis ·Prinz Sami ·Der Rodelkavalier ·Der Fall Rosentopf ·Ich Möchte Kein Mann Sein ·Das Mädel Vom Ballet ·Meyer Aus Berlin ·Das Schwabenmädel ·Kohlhiesels Töchter ·Romeo Und Julia Im Schnee ·If I Had A Million(segment "The Clerk")
