The Prince Who Was a Thief (1951)

The Prince Who Was a Thief (1951) (DVD) (*)

$21.99

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Subtitles )
Spanish ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Spain ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
87 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1951 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Rudolph Maté

Written By:
Gerald Drayson Adams
Theodore Dreiser

Actors:
Tony Curtis ..... Julna
Piper Laurie ..... Tina
Everett Sloane ..... Yussef
Jeff Corey ..... Emir Mokar
Betty Garde ..... Mirza
Marvin Miller ..... Hakar
Peggie Castle ..... Princess Yasmin
Donald Randolph ..... Prince Mustapha
Nita Bieber ..... Cahuena
Milada Mladova ..... Dancer
Hayden Rorke ..... Basra
Midge Ware ..... Sari
Carol Varga ..... Beulah
Larry Storch

Synopsis:

Universal's newest 'heartthrobs' Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie were first teamed in this lavish adaptation of Theodore Dreiser's The Prince Who Was a Thief. Curtis stars as Julna, the rightful heir to a Middle Eastern throne. Kidnapped in infancy, Julna is raised as a thief by the roguish Yussef (Everett Sloane). Eventually, however, Julna's true identity is revealed, prompting him to lead a revolt against the evil, usurping Mustapha (Donald Randolph). Piper Laurie steals the show as Tina, a carnival contortionist who falls in love with Julna and helps him regain his throne (most of Laurie's trickier stunts were performed in long shot by a much heftier double). Fine escapist entertainment, The Prince Who Was a Thief secured major stardom for both its leading players. And no, this is not the film in which Tony Curtis utters the apocryphal line 'Yonduh lies duh castle of my faddah.'

Theodore Dreiser's noted story has here been turned into a well-acted and entertaining movie; and master director Mate draws a very fine performance from a very young Piper Laurie indeed. The storyline is a sense-of-life piece, one where the hero, ably played (if one ignores his accent) by young, handsome Tony Curtis who has been raised by the thief who spared his life years before discovers that he is the rightful Prince of the kingdom. To save his adopted father from death, he helps him catch the man who has stolen the great pearl on which the safety of the city from a hostile army depends. This mission involves him with two women, Tina, thief, daughter of a thief played by Laurie and the princess, ably played by Peggie Castle; of course there are thefts, escapes, arguments, misunderstandings, fine dialogue scenes, a Guild of Jackals who are both help and hindrance and an usually satisfying climactic battle and denouement to a romantic ending. Admas' script is masterful, the direction very smooth, and all the technical aspects unusually satisfying, specially Hans J. Salter's music. Those in the cast besides the leads include talented Everett Sloane, Bettey Garde, Donald Randolph,Hayden Rourke, Marvin Miller, and Jeff Corey. There are some dancing girls seen here, but there are also scenes in the great souk, first-rate comedy, a robbing of the Treasury that is a classic caper, and enjoyably-three-dimensional characters. Favorite line--the Prince appoints his father to be the new keeper of the keeper of the new keeper of the Treasury--the Master of the Guild of Jackals. Colorful, abounding in action and very memorable, this treat is deserves to be a favorite with all those who enjoy uncomplicated adventure and the Grecianized-Near-eastern genre particularly.

An assassin (Everett Sloane) is sent to kill a baby prince but cannot go through with it. He decides to raise the child as his own, and he grows up to be a thief (Tony Curtis).

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 09 July, 2013.

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