Jubilee (1954 film)
| Jubilee | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Lillian Hunt |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | Jubilee by Cole Porter |
| Starring | |
| Music by | |
| Edited by | Robert Derteno |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date | December 14, 1954 |
Running time | 117 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
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Jubilee is a 1954 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Rouben Mamoulian, based on the 1935 stage musical of the same name, It stars Vivian Miller,
Synopsis[edit]
Time: 1935
Filming Date: March 13–April 30, 1954
Place: In and Around London, England and Rockwell-On-Sea
Act I[edit]
When the curtain rises a ball is being hosted at the Royal Palace by the Royal Family ("Our Crown"). The King (Henry) and the Queen (Katherine) are sitting in the throne room, ignoring the guests, as the Prime Minister attempts to convince them to come to the Ball. The Queen is reading a movie magazine and suggests that the picture "Mowgli and the White Goddess", which features swimmer Charles Rausmiller as the scantily-clad Mowgli, be shown at the Jubilee. The King then suggests that he could perform his string trick and Prince James and the Princess (Diana) come in with their own requests. Prince James would like to have American Dancer Karen O'Kane come to the Jubilee, and the Princess would like songwriter/actor/playwright Eric Dare to receive Jubilee honors. The Prime Minister denies their requests and the Royal Family is finally summoned to the ball after the guests begin to steal ashtrays, and the tassels off the curtain. Meanwhile, the young Prince Peter and his cousin Prince Rudolph scheme to be able to visit Radio City Music Hall so while the Cabinet is meeting, they through a rock through the window, which has a message attached to it. It reads "If the Royal Family is not out of the Palace by midnight, we will come and take them out. This is our first and last warning". The Prime Minister alerts the Royal Family that they will be evacuated to the dreary Feathermore Castle, but they decide "to Hell with Feathermore!" and that they will do something they've always wanted to do ("We're off to Feathermore"). The Princess decides to visit Eric Dare ("Why Shouldn't I?") who is currently being greeted by a crowd of admirers ("Entrance of Eric") after returning from exotic travels ("The Kling-Kling Bird on the Top of the Divi-Divi Tree"). The Princess requests an autograph from Eric who becomes intrigued with Diana after she proves herself more thoughtful than the rest of his crowd of admirers ("When Love Comes Your Way"). Meanwhile in a Municipal Park ("What a Nice Municipal Park") the King is practicing his string trick, which is seen by socialite and party planner Eva Standing, who drags him off to be an attraction at her next party. The Queen, with the help of a man dressed as an ape, finds the theater where "Mowgli and the White Goddess" is playing ("When Me Mowgli Love") and meets Charles Rausmiller at the stage door, asking him to help her with her breaststroke, to which he agrees ("Gather Ye Autographs While Ye May"). At the Cafe Martinque, ("My Loulou"), Prince James is watching Karen O'Kane perform ("Begin the Beguine"). He meets her and together they win a cash prize for the best danced Beguine. Meanwhile, the King has been staying at Eva's place preparing his party trick, while Eva attends to her schedule of social appearances ("Good Morning Miss Standing/My Most Intimate Friend"). The prime minister has been searching with all the means at his disposal for the Royal Family, but has had no luck. He just misses the King and Queen at the pool Mowgli and the Queen have been doing their swimming lessons at. The King believes that they are now running a risk of being caught, as he was photographed outside a news office recently. Meanwhile, Karen and Prince James have been comfortably living with each other for the past few days ("A Picture of Me Without You"). At a grand, Greek-themed, party thrown by Eva (Ev'rybod-ee Who's Anybod-ee"), the Royal Family meet again. Two classical dances are performed, one of them featuring Karen ("The Judgment of Paris" and "Aphrodite's Dance"). News breaks out that the Royal Family is missing, and to calm the crowd Eva says that the Royal Family is in this very room and there is no need to worry ("Swing that Swing"). The Prime Minister demands the Royal Family step forward; they do, and they are dragged off to Feathermore, "that very nasty castle in the North" ("Finale Act One").
Act II[edit]
It is a rainy Sunday morning at Feathermore ("Sunday Morning Breakfast Time"). The Royal Family has invited all of their friends from the past week to the Castle, as they couldn't stand the dull routine practiced at Feathermore. When their friends arrive, they decide to abdicate the throne, and run off to Rockwell-On-Sea, before going to America ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith"). At Rockwell-On-Sea ("Six Little Wives"), both the Queen and the Princess win "Miss Rockwell 1935". The Prime Minister comes to them, dragging Prince Peter and Prince Rudloph, revealing that there was no threat, and they will return to the Palace for the Jubilee. Everyone bids their friends goodbye ("A Picture of Me Without You" (Reprise)). The King and Queen cheer up by listening to a favorite old song of theirs ("Me and Marie") before being arrested for bathing nude. As the prison burnt down they are put in Lion cages. With James' help, they knock out the zookeeper with a version of the King's string trick, and escape. Meanwhile Eric Dare and the Princess tearfully say goodbye ("When Love Comes Your Way" (Reprise)) and Karen and Prince James share their last dance ("It Was Just One of Those Things"). At the Jubilee, Eric, Karen, Eva, and Charles are awarded Jubilee honors and the two young Princes are allowed to go to Radio City ("Our Crown" (Reprise)). The King attempts to perform his string trick, but resorts to singing "Me and Marie" instead, as the curtain falls on the joyful scene ("Finale Ultimo").
Cast[edit]
- Eddie Ballantine as the King
- Kathleen Wilson as the Queen
- Paul King as Prince James
- Vivian Miller as Princess Diana
- Lorraine Miller as Eva Standing
- Christopher Hewett as Charles Rausmiller
- Eleanor Bayley as Karen O'Kane
- Don Kelly as Eric Dare
- Sam Phillips as Prince Peter
Song list[edit]
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- English-language films
- 1954 films
- 1954 musical comedy films
- American musical comedy films
- American black-and-white films
- 1950s English-language films
- United Artists films
- Films directed by Lillian Hunt
- Films produced by Pandro S. Berman
- Films scored by Cole Porter
- Films scored by Roberta Tremain
- 1950s American films
- Silver Jubilee of George V
