Il presidente si diverte

I recently saw this film on video and was pleasantly surprised. George Arliss was a real gem of the early cinema and this film continues to display his genius on screen. The film itself is the standard vehicle for Arliss, typically his character undermines some unscrupulous scheme whilst playing cupid to two young lovers. Even after several films this formula remained fresh due to Arliss' talent for reinventing characters. Its a great shame that more of his films aren't available, they have certainly endured more than many films half their age. The similarities with Trading Places are almost immediately obvious, the only difference is that this film is half a century older. A tramp (Arliss) is, through a series of plot twists, made a manager of a bank, in order to cover the unscrupulous dealings of two businessmen, who think him to be a simpleton. The businessmen find out to their cost as Arliss outsmarts and bankrupts them. The film also nicely parodies Arliss' early movie The House of Rothschild.

George Arliss is a French tramp on his way south for the winter with his friend, Gene Gerrard. He has just mended a bowl for Viola Keats, and talked about life, for which she has given him lunch and five francs, when Gerrard and he are seized by the police. When he gives them his identity card, they cannot believe his name is Francois Rothschild, so they consult with that august bank, who find him a harmless loon, write him a check for two thousand francs, and send them on his way. Arliss just wants to be on his way, but Gerrard sees this as a chance to return to a normal life, so they deposit the check in Frank Cellier's bank. Cellier is one of those evil bankers, and he has a major swindle afoot. His company, though is basically bankrupt. If only he can persuade this scion of the Rothschilds to become president, he can delay the dread day until after his swindle is complete. Arliss refuses. Then he comes to realize that the swindle is against the nice Miss Keats and accepts, hoping he can do her a good turn.

Two years earlier, Arliss had starred in THE HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD. Here he was at the same old stand, but in modern dress ... although the old clothes he wears in his tramp persona look worn enough that they might date from the Napoleonic wars. Nonetheless, it's a modern-dress comedy, and what makes it so very telling is the character that Arliss plays. It's like his character in all his modern-dress movies. He's amiable. He's in favor of young love. He likes honest dealings and like a drunk in a brawl, open, rancor-free fighting. He knows what he likes -- here, it's to go south, where it's warm, at least until the spring -- and if it doesn't comport well with other people's goals, well, that's all right. They may think him wrong, but he's old enough to know his own mind, and to know that he's right. And, in the end, he'll get his way. The young people will get married, the greedy will be broken, and he'll be on his way south. Because, after all, he has the screenwriters on his side.

I just saw this movie n Netflix which for some reason has several 1930s British movies - and I am happily and slowly making my way through them. This movie is good but nowhere near as good as Arliss' very funny The Working Man (a movie I would much like to see again as it has been many years since I last saw it). The movie's title "The Guv'nor" sounds very British to me yet the story is set in France. I assume this was done solely for the purpose of using the name Rothchild for the hobo. The audience as well as Arliss and the producers must have chuckled over this play on one of Arliss' famous roles. Here we have a hobo mistaken for a member of the renown and wealthy Rothchild family who in an unlikely but fun scenario becomes a trustee of a bank. The banker, marvelously played by Frank Cellier is very devious and plans to use Arliss as a fall guy for his own corrupt dealings. Mister Hobo is not so naive as he may appear and shows the banker a thing or two. I bet Arliss had fun with this movie. And so will those who are lucky enough to see it.

George Arliss was one of the most unlikely film stars ever.He became a star in his sixties as a result of his star turn as Disraeli.He was given the honour of being called "Mr".Though for some reason he was never given a knighthood,maybe because he spent so much time in film studios.This film was atypical of his roles in that he was not playing the leading player in a biopic.However as in most of his films he is helping to extricate people from problems that are not of their making.Here the obnoxious villain is played by Frank Cellier.By the time this film was made Arliss was almost at the end of his career which would end in 1937 with Doctor Syn.

This film is quite a change of pace for George Arliss. First, he made it in his home in the UK--not Hollywood. Second, he plays a scruffy hobo--the exact opposite of his usual businessman or member of the upper class. Sure, he's done comedy (such as in "The Working Man") but as a hobo?! However, what is constant is that Arliss manages to make it all seem very effortless and fun--something I have seen in all his marvelous performances.

"Mister Hobo" begins with Arliss and his friend traipsing around France. When they are picked up by the police for vagrancy, the authorities are shocked when Arliss gives his name--François Rothschild. People think he's associated with THE Rothschild family and suddenly doors begin to open. And, with his gentlemanly manners and grace, people suddenly treat him like a king. In fact, they want him and his good name--and bring him into big business. And, now that he looks successful, people keep giving him things! And when a dirt-bag financier begins cosing up to him, Arliss suspects something and he decides to investigate things for himself. I could say a lot more, but it would spoil the fun.

This is a delightful little comedy. Arliss was wonderful--graceful and quite funny. And in the end, everything came together quite nicely. Clever and cute.

Where are the French accents?