El diablillo y la reina

A typically good and effective heartstrings film of the era, with the underdog predictably triumphing, but the very best part was the brilliant Alec Guiness. What a talent! His firm, honest but loyal role as PM Disraeli was surely one of the most intelligent I have seen in film. His entire role dialog was nothing short of premier, with equal talent in his delivery of it that are both so very lacking in today's films, for the most part.

His so very erudite and eloquent speech to the House of Commons about the rights of Britain's children that included Mudlarks(really about all underdogs everywhere), and the obligation for England(and all of us everywhere)to care for and about them was astonishing and encouraging, especially where underdogs and common folk are often seen as nuisances and impediments to rich men seeking political power primarily to help themselves and their rich cronies. In reality, nothing ever changes or improves in the wealthy's perception of those without wealth, but a good fantasy about caring never hurts and may someday help as it showcases human awareness of this best-of-all-worlds ideal if not the real accomplishment of it. Maybe one day? That is the message and benefit and hope of this kind of story.

A grand film in the old style, with outstanding writing and acting.

A fine film that is mainly forgotten but still worth seeing, it deals with a homeless boy in Victorian London (1876) who rubs shoulders with two of the leading figures of the time - Queen Victoria and Benjamin Disraeli.

A heart-warming story of historical fiction, directed by Jean Negulesco, it displays the formidable acting talent of Irene Dunne and Alex Guinness. Disreali's audience with the Queen at the start draws us into the main themes of the movie. Andrew Ray, as the boy, is exceptional. The great character actor Finlay Currie plays the role of the Queen's friend John Brown, a crusty, boozy Scot and a close companion of the Queen, who takes a personal interest in the boy. (The character of John Brown was also the subject of the movie from the 1990's - Mrs. Brown, played by Dame Judi Dench.)

The role of the mudlark-a child who scavenges on the banks of the Thames is played by Andrew Ray. It was while doing this,that he found a cameo of the Queen. Illiterate and poverty-stricken, he knows nothing about the Queen but when he finds out who she is, he wants to meet her. The discovery of the child during a banquet at Windsor Castle becomes a national story, in which the Prime Minister (Alex Guinness as Disraeli) uses the issue to underscore the need for social reform and to thus win support for his government's program. The speech in the House of Commons is a high point in the movie, as is the widowed Queen's encounter with the boy near the end of the film.

Colourful conversations between Alex Guinness (Disraeli) and Findlay Currie (John Brown) add sparkle to the film as does a well-lubricated Brown as he takes the boy on a tour of the castle.

At the end, Disraeli and Brown, totally different in character, are drawn together by their love of the monarch. The widowed monarch, at first alarmed by the boy's stealing into her private residence, is moved by a second encounter when she learns that he merely wanted to see her. This also suited the Prime Minister's purpose of giving the monarch confidence to come out of seclusion.

Irene Dunne wore darn near as much make-up as Lon Chaney Jr. in the Wolfman, to portray the role of Victoria I. She was a much underrated actress and the role fit her like a glove. Then, there's the late Sir Alec Guinness as Disraeli and the incomparable Finlay Curie as John Brown, the only man who had leave to blow his nose in the presence of the Queen. The tale focuses on a "Mudlark," a street urchin who lives off scrounging castaway goods from the mud banks of the Thames, who finds a likeness of Queen Victoria and resolves to visit this "Mother of all England." How this event is used by Disraeli to get her to end her reclusive widowhood is the plot of the story. Alas, no video and no DVD. This superb classic, too good for even its own time shows up from time to time on the late show and if it does, don't miss it. You'll be charmed by some outstanding performances and a winsome story. Oh. Yes, the kid gets to meet the Queen and she does join polite society once more. That much is history.

When I saw that Irene Dunne was cast as Queen Victoria, I was ready to hate the film. After all, she seems about as much like this historical figure as Shirley Temple! There was absolutely no way they could make this work. Well, was I wrong...she was terrific and they managed to make her look like the middle-aged monarch. I was amazed.

The film begins on the filthy bank of the Thames River in London. Poor, wretched boys work the bank as 'mudlarks'--kids who will scour the shore for anything of value. This is much like the pathetic kids in places like India and Brazil who live among the garbage and scavenge for a meager living. A boy sees a cameo of the queen. He has no idea who she is but is captivated by how beautiful she looks. When he does learn it's the queen, he decides to go to Windsor Castle and try to see her. By some strange circumstances, he is able to make it inside and is eventually discovered. Where this fantasy story goes next is something you'll just need to see for yourself, but in some ways it's like another fictional story about the British monarchy, "The Prince and the Pauper". But it also has a bit of the Dickens touch--as there is quite an emphasis on social responsibility and the poor.

The acting is just lovely. Dunne is perhaps at her best, Alec Guinness is his usual amazing best and Finlay Currie, though not exactly a mirror image of the man he played (John Brown), was lovely as well. A great script, nice direction and quality all around make this a neat little fantasy film...and one that can be enjoyed by all ages.

I found this on YouTube and I'm pleased I did. This is a black and white film from the good old days of movies, before CGI, profanity and mindless action were essential to a movie's credibility; when good acting and intelligent writing were much more important. I'm being overly cynical, I know, but you get the point.

The Mudlark is an enjoyable little film, with a cast of fine British actors of yesteryear who are a pleasure to see in action once more. The plot of this may be a bit silly in places, and sometimes it gets a bit slow (a half baked and totally unnecessary romantic sub plot doesn't help), but for the most part this is a charming movie and should be enjoyed by adults and older children alike.