HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS (1932) George Wallace, Byrl Walkley & Frank Tarrant | Musical, Comedy | B&W

His Royal Highness is a 1932 Australian musical film directed by F. W. Thring, also known as His Loyal Highness (Australia alternative title and title in the United Kingdom), starring George Wallace in his feature film debut. It was the first Australian film musical.

SYNOPSIS
A stage hand is knocked out and has a dream of becoming monarch of a Graustarkian kingdom, rife with court intrigue, an assassination plot and operetta-style musical numbers.

Tommy Dodds (George Wallace) is a stage hand who has a crush on Molly. He is knocked unconscious and dreams he is the King of Betonia. He scandalises the court by gambling with footmen and teaching his Prime Minister to roller skate, and uncovers a conspiracy by Torano and Yoiben.

The rightful heir to the throne is discovered and Tommy is no longer king. He wakes up from his dream and sees that Molly is interested in someone else.

CAST & CREW
George Wallace as Tommy Dodds / King of Betonia
Byrl Walkley as Yoiben
Frank Tarrant as Hozzan
Donalda Warne as Barbette
Lou Vernon as Torano
Marshall Crosby as Alfam
John Fernside as Giuseppe
John Dobbie as Jim
Nell Taylor as Molly
Clem Milton as Prime Minister
Edwin Brett as Asher Marmaduke

Directed by F. W. Thring
Written by C. J. Dennis, George Wallace
Based on stage musical by George Wallace
Produced by F. W. Thring
Cinematography Arthur Higgins
Music by Alaric Howitt, George Wallace
Production company Efftee Film Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date 1 October 1932
Running time 84 minutes (Australia)
Country Australia
Language English
Budget £19,000 or £11,000
Box office £20,000

NOTES
Despite some unenthusiastic reviews the film was a popular success at the box office, launching George Wallace as a film star.

Thring sold the film to Britain along with Diggers (1931) and The Sentimental Bloke (1932) and some shorts for £100,000. Of these, His Royal Highness proved the most popular in Britain, where it was widely screened, in reportedly over 1000 cinemas. It also received good reviews from the English trade papers, which had previously been critical of On Our Selection. It also enjoyed more popularity at the box office.

After World War II Pat Hanna bought the rights to distribute this and some other Efftee films and enjoyed some success.

Filmink magazine later said "it's a movie of its time and the musical numbers are fairly ropey but Wallace's tremendous talent remains evident."

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