Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as 'Rupert of Hentzau' - The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) Discussion

[–] csu16387 17 years ago

The Prisoner of Zenda has a marvelous cast, but young Fairbanks walks away with the film.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

reply

[–] fast_fierce_and_funny 14 years ago

The Prisoner of Zenda has a marvelous cast, but young Fairbanks walks away with the film.

Agreed. I watch the film for Colman's thoughtful performance, but Fairbanks The Junior gets my attention every time. He's just such a likable bad guy!

The irony is that, according to the Trivia section for the film, he originally tried out for the dual role that Colman played! Fortunately, he ended up in the right part after all.

reply

[–] dm84 14 years ago

Douglas Fairbanks Jr was a real class act. He is always a delight to watch in a movie and this is one of his best.

reply

[–] Percivalx 15 years ago

Agreed! The man stood out!

Last Seen:
The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) - 9/10

reply

[–] J. Spurlin 13 years ago

I never knew Fairbanks Jr. was so good!

...Justin

reply

[–] honeybeelinn 13 years ago

I agree 100%! I was excited to watch this version because I had just finished watching the Stewart Granger one. I could hardly get the DVD into the player thinking of the lovely Ronald Colman in the lead role. Much to my surprise though it was Douglas Fairbanks Jr. who blew my socks off! What an amazing bad guy! He was so darling and nasty at the same time. That takes talent! Mr. Colman's performance was thoughtful and as wonderful as the come, but "Doug" really made this film.

reply

[–] smrhyne-1 13 years ago

He definitely stole the show. He played Rupert as a likeable bad guy. I was hoping he would get away in the end!

reply

[–] snsurone 13 years ago

I had read that Doug Sr. was jealous of his son's success as a swashbuckler, especially considering that his own career was over by then.
If Doug Jr. was nominated for an Oscar--much less won--that would really have been the straw that broke the camel's back!
But in those days, actors who played unsympathetic roles were seldom nominated (and NEVER won) for the Oscar.

reply

[–] phillipsdan83 10 years ago

Doug Sr. was jealous of his son's career AT FIRST, but encouraged Doug Jr. to take Rupert of Hentzau. Doug Jr., in fact, had never really been in a swashbuckler up to this point. Doug Jr. was initially reluctant, partly because he was already a leading man and partly because he didn't want a swashbuckling role, but Doug Sr. said something like "are you crazy? Rupert's the best part in the story! Rin Tin Tin could play it and be a hit!"

reply

[–] aaustin-10 10 years ago

Douglas Fairbanks was fantastic playing a fantastic part. It's true enough that it is easier to excel in a bad-guy role, since the bad guys get all the really good lines and scenes, but still, Fairbanks carried it with charm and grace. And yes, I found myself happy he got away at the end. I hate films where the bad guy is so incompetent you just wait for him to be defeated.

reply

[–] rudeboy_murray 9 years ago

Probably my favourite swashbuckling performance in cinema, and one of the all-time great charismatic bad guys. Fairbanks is simply perfect and yes, he manages to steal the show from an all-round top notch cast.

reply