The Student Prince

The Student Prince


MGM, 1954, B/W, 107 minutes, ***½

Released June, 1954



A tragic love story of a prince who falls in love with a bar maid (a major no-no amongst the Royal set!). In this screen adaptation of Romberg's stage play, Mario Lanza was intended to play the part of the prince, but was unable to complete the project due to a knock-down, drag-out fight with L. B. Mayer, so Edmund Purdom lip-synced to Lanza's pre-recordings.
It is a good movie - Purdom plays the part well, and Blyth is wonderful as always. But it is somewhat jolting to hear Lanza's voice every time Purdom opens his mouth to sing. Purdom is generally quite stoic - often distractingly so - but in this film he seems to overcome that a little, and one would expect a prince to be a bit on the "stiff" side, anyway.

The Romberg / Donnelly song score is outstanding! It's some of the most beautiful music you'll ever hear on any movie soundtrack. Overall, it's a good film, but it is sad that Mario Lanza couldn't have played the part.



In the Sigmund Romberg Biopic Deep in My Heart, Romberg (played by Jose Ferrer) and Dorothy Donnelly (played by Merle Oberon) refer to the "The Student Prince" as "The Stupid Prince" (which is actually rather fitting).

Produced by: Joe Pasternak

Directed by: Richard Thorpe

Assistant Director: Arvid Griffen

Written for the Screen by: William Ludwig and Sonya Levien

From the Operetta with Book and Lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly

Based on a Novel and Play by Wilhelm Meyer-Foerster

And Music by Sigmund Romberg

Additional Songs: "Beloved," "I'll Walk with God," "Summertime in Heidelberg" Music by Nicholas Brodszky, Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster

Musical Numbers Staged by: Hermes Pan

Musical Direction: George Stoll

Vocal Numbers Conducted by: Constantine Callinicos

Orchestrations: Maurice dePackh

Choral Supervision: Jeff Alexander

Art Directors: Cedric Gibbons and Randall Duell

Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis, Arthur Krams

Women's Costumes Designed by: Helen Rose

Men's Costumes Designed by: Walter Plunkett

Hair Styles by: Sydney Guilaroff

Make-Up Created by: William Tuttle

Recording Supervisor: Douglas Shearer

Director of Photography: Paul C. Vogel

Special Effects: Warren Newcombe

Filmed in CinemaScope, Color by Ansco

Color Consultant: Alvord Eiseman

Film Editor: Gene Ruggiero



Cast: Ann Blyth [Kathie], Edmund Purdom [Prince Karl], Mario Lanza [singing voice for Edmund Purdom], John Ericson [Count Von Asterburg], Louis Calhern [King of Karlsburg], Edmund Gwenn [Prof. Juttner], S. Z. "Cuddles" Sakall [Joseph Ruder], Betta St. John [Princess Johanna], John Williams [Lutz], Evelyn Varden [Queen], John Hoyt [Prime Minister], Richard Anderson [Lucas], Roger Allen [Von Fischtenstein], Steve Rowland [Feuerwald], Chris Warfield [Richter], Gilbert Legay [Von Buhler], Archer MacDonald [Head Corps Servant], Charles Davis [Hubert], John Qualen [Willie Klauber]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:02] unidentified German drinking song (sung by Men in Pub); [0:04] Hymn (sung by Church Congregation); [0:07] Roses from the South (danced by Edmund Purdom and Betta St. John and Guests at Royal Ball); [0:16] Yu-Hy-Day, Yu-Hy-Dee (sung by Students [Mens Chorus]); [0:18] To the Inn We're Marching (sung by Students [Mens Chorus]); [0:20] Beer Here (sung by Students [Mens Chorus]); [0:22] Come Boys, Let's All Be Gay Boys (sung by Ann Blyth and Chorus); [0:25] Kathie the Queen of the Court (sung by Students [Mens Chorus]); [0:26] Welcome (sung by Ann Blyth); [0:30] Summertime in Heidelberg (sung by Ann Blyth and Mario Lanza dubbing for Edmund Purdom); [0:46] Drink, Drink, Drink (sung by Mario Lanza dubbing for Edmund Purdom and Students [Mens Chorus]); [0:48] Gaudeamus Igitur (sung by Mens Chorus); [1:02] Serenade (sung by Mario Lanza dubbing for Edmund Purdom and Chorus); [1:07] Summertime in Heidelberg (reprised by Ann Blyth); [1:08] Crambambuli (sung by Students [Mens Chorus]); [1:09] Ergo Bibamus (sung by Students [Mens Chorus]); [1:15] Deep in My Heart (sung by Mario Lanza dubbing for Edmund Purdom and Ann Blyth); [0:18] Dance at the Carnival (danced by Chorus); [1:22] Beloved (sung by Mario Lanza dubbing for Edmund Purdom); [1:31] Drink, Drink, Drink (sung by Mario Lanza dubbing for Edmund Purdom and Students [Mens Chorus]); [1:33] I'll Walk with God (sung by Mario Lanza dubbing for Edmund Purdom); [1:39] Golden Days (sung by Mario Lanza dubbing for Edmund Purdom); [1:42] Drink, Drink, Drink (sung by Students [Mens Chorus]); [1:45] Ergo Bibamus (sung by Students [Mens Chorus]); [1:46] Drink, Drink, Drink (played by Orchestra behind end credits)