Amor de Boêmio

Superb silent version of the story of Francois Villon. Although remade in the thirties as IF I WERE KING, with Frank Lloyd directing, Preston Sturges scripting and Ronald Colman starring, this version is even better. Barrymore, with a cohort of comedians, plays the comic fool and the wine-depressed Villon with a verve that Colman could not match. The photography is startling in its beauty and innovation and the supporting cast, particularly Conrad Veidt in his American premiere, the incredibly beautiful Marceline Day, and the supporting comics, Slim Summerville and Hank Mann, steal every scene they are in.

It is a shame that Barrymore did so few first-rate comedies. Among his sound films, only his lead in TWENTIETH CENTURY and his supporting role in MIDNIGHT can compare to this, and those stand up only because of his superb voice. In this silent movie, Barrymore must tell his tale without benefit of words, and he does so, alternately hilariously unrecognizable as the King of the Fools and tenderly as Villon in love. He even gets to leap around in the swashbuckling style of Fairbanks, most convincingly. He also lets his supporting cast have their share of glory, capering in this ensemble work like any talented comic of the era.

Finally, a brief word about Alan Crosland, a director known today only for directing the first talking feature, THE JAZZ SINGER in the same year this was released. Crosland was a careful, innovative, delightfully original director, and it is a shame that more of his works are not known. Perhaps this movie, far more interesting as a movie than his best-known work, will be your introduction to his other talents. If so, you could do far worse.

In 15th century Paris, poetic lover John Barrymore (as Francois Villon) leads crowds in an extended celebration of "All Fools' Day" which irks King Conrad Veidt (as Louis XI). Consequently, Mr. Barrymore is banished to the outskirts. After Barrymore is caught sneaking back to the city, Mr. Veidt sentences him to death. Barrymore proves himself cleverer than your usual connoisseur of wine, women, and song. He convinces the superstitions Mr. Veidt their deaths are destined to occur within the same day, and becomes a pampered member of the court. Soon, Barrymore risks his life to rescue beautifully figured Marceline Day (as Charlotte), and save France...

This version of "If I Were King" is obviously tailor-made for Barrymore. The United Artists production values are very high.

Barrymore was one of the best actors around through the 1920s. He appeared in relatively few films, but they were carefully selected. Here, he is probably at his "hammiest" - which he admitted upon seeing the film at a crowded premiere. Not to be outdone, Veidt chews a fair share of the scenery. Lucy Beaumont leads an accomplished supporting cast. However hammy, Barrymore is highly appealing. He is also, despite reports to the contrary, still in peak physical form. Not only does Barrymore display boundless energy, he plays the last act in a loincloth. Barrymore was now in his mid-forties. His famed "Great Profile" is also very much in evidence.

******* The Beloved Rogue (3/12/27) Alan Crosland ~ John Barrymore, Conrad Veidt, Marceline Day, Lucy Beaumont

And nothing wrong in that! Heartily endorse the comments of boblipton and Snow Leopard.

I'm thrilled to find this movie is available on US DVD - I've only ever seen it through once - I persuaded the Goethe Institute here in London to show it in their Conrad Veidt season some years ago - and long to see it again.

Barrymore is resplendent when engaged, as in this movie, possibly because of the prick of having a renowned German actor as a foil. And Veidt is such a wonderful scene stealer (doesn't he pick his nose at one point?) This is one of the seminal films to connect 'Dr Jekyll' with '20th Century', 'Grand Hotel' or 'Midnight'; and 'The Cabinet of Dr Caligari' or 'The Student of Prague' with 'The Spy in Bladk', 'Contraband' and 'Casablanca'.

See it!

The Beloved Rogue is a wonderful period piece. It portrays 145th century Paris in grand Hollywood fashion, yet offering a bleaker side to existence there as it would be experienced by the poor. And the snow. It's constantly swirling about, adding to the severity of the setting -- brilliant! The setting is enhanced by the odd cast of characters, including beggars, cripples and dwarfs.

A brilliant performance is turned in by John Barrymore, outdone only by the magnificent Conrad Veidt, who portrays a degenerate, dissolute Louis XI to perfection. And yes, Veidt picks his nose on purpose, pushing his portrayal to wonderfully wry limits.

8 stars as a movie, 5 as history.

I wish the movies, when based on history and actual people, are a bit more researched. The story, except a few parts goes too far away from the history. Lois XI has been shown to be blindly dependent on the astrologers his actual state-crafts and the intrigues (for which he was called spider) are totally negated. In fact his physical characteristics were made like a spider. His reforms, his bonhomie with the common men too were completely overlooked. Lois XI was historically too different and supposed to be a far better person, from the caricature that is shown.

Villon too is another historical figure, but again his life (especially the end) doesn't match with history, nor does the fate of Charles, the Duke Of Burgundy. It could have been better if he hadn't attended the ceremony since the fictionalized Count and fictionalized Charlotte's story won't have hurt the history. Of course the relation between Lois and Charles are real, as was between Villon and Lois (who had a very kind disposition towards Villon). Even the end (of Villon) isn't right, since Villon in reality had simply disappeared from public (undoubtedly dead, but as an unknown person). The only facts are Charles, Duke of Burgundy's enmity to Lois, Villon's being close and loyal to the King (Lois) and his much more than what is shown bohemian life.

If I leave the historical aspects and treat it just as a movie - not based on real people - I give it 8 stars. Merceline Day looked gorgeous, JB was of course a consummate actor, a bit theatrical on today's standard, but I have to look at the trend then and also remember it is a silent movie, so a bit of over-expression is required. Conrad as Lois XI had been creepy (as this story called for). So over all as a fiction movie it is enjoyable.

But knowing that this is as well as an historical movie, the stars go down due to blatant contradiction with facts.

Just as a footnote - I didn't know even a century back (the last scene), the population control was a hot, though not to be taken too seriously, subject.