IMDb RATING
7.5/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
A cloistered, overprotected Austrian prince falls in love with a down-to-earth barmaid in this "Viennese fairy tale."A cloistered, overprotected Austrian prince falls in love with a down-to-earth barmaid in this "Viennese fairy tale."A cloistered, overprotected Austrian prince falls in love with a down-to-earth barmaid in this "Viennese fairy tale."
- Awards
- 1 win
Philippe De Lacy
- Young Karl - Heir Apparent
- (as Philipe de Lacy)
Bobbie Mack
- Kellermann
- (as Bobby Mack)
George K. Arthur
- Drunk Student
- (uncredited)
Lionel Belmore
- Stout Student
- (uncredited)
Robert Brower
- Minister to the King
- (uncredited)
Edythe Chapman
- Young Karl's Nanny
- (uncredited)
Oliver Eckhardt
- Minister
- (uncredited)
Margaret Gray
- Student
- (uncredited)
Ruby Lafayette
- Bit Part
- (uncredited)
André Mattoni
- Count Asterberg
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaErich von Stroheim was offered directorship of this film, but declined after having had a negative experience working under Irving Thalberg on The Merry Widow (1925). Stroheim went to Paramount to direct and star in The Wedding March (1928).
- GoofsThe young Karl's eyes are blue, but the adult Karl's eyes are brown.
- Quotes
Kids in the street: [happily, looking at photo of Young Prince Karl in shop window] He's going to be a wonderful king!
- Alternate versionsIn 1986, Thames Television in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer created a video, using the alternate title "Old Heidelberg," with full orchestral score by Carl Davis, and with running time of 106 minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood (2005)
Featured review
Ramon Novarro (as Karl Heinrich) is the Crown Prince of Karlsburg. He is envied by his subjects, but lonely and isolated behind castle walls. Quite Princely in appearance, and capable of performing royal duties, he is, nonetheless, not enamored with dutiful royalties. With help from tutor Jean Hersholt (as Dr. Juttner), he becomes an honor student, and is goes to university at Old Heidelberg. There, he meets and falls in love with commoner Norma Shearer (as Kathi).
"The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg" is a first rate silent film production, expertly directed by Ernst Lubitsch. Mr. Novarro is appropriately exuberant as the young Prince - his performance is excellent throughout, but really starts to dazzle in the scenes beginning with his witnessing of Ms. Shearer's downing a German beer. Mr. Hersholt is great as Novarro's tutor; both men are superior with the necessary "silent screen" acting, and the more forward "underplaying". Ms. Shearer is just a step behind her co-stars in artful acting; but, it's a a gap she will very quickly fill. Shearer is terrific in the scene when she learns Novarro is leaving, and helps him pack. Philipe de Lacy is notable, playing the Prince as a boy; his characterization matches the older Novarro - director Lubitsch directs these early sequences effectively, creating the image of a young prince in his castle prison.
When a couple of important people in the Prince's life die, the story becomes necessarily more somber in tone. Of course, Novarro must eventually become King - these scenes are beautifully symbolic, and extraordinarily well photographed. The visit by an old friend prompts Novarro's return to Old Heidelberg, with unexpected results. Don't miss a later scene, when Novarro returns to his Old Heidelberg bedroom - especially, watch how Novarro briefly strokes his bed, obviously thinking of Shearer; it's a superb little bit of sexual suggestion. It would be nice to know whether the gesture originated with Novarro or Lubitsch - but, it's probably not possible to determine. "Is it Good to be King?" You'll know when you see Novarro's beautifully acted final scene, in his royal carriage - certainly, it's one of the most memorable performances in silent cinema.
********** The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (9/21/27) Ernst Lubitsch ~ Ramon Novarro, Norma Shearer, Jean Hersholt, Philippe de Lacy
"The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg" is a first rate silent film production, expertly directed by Ernst Lubitsch. Mr. Novarro is appropriately exuberant as the young Prince - his performance is excellent throughout, but really starts to dazzle in the scenes beginning with his witnessing of Ms. Shearer's downing a German beer. Mr. Hersholt is great as Novarro's tutor; both men are superior with the necessary "silent screen" acting, and the more forward "underplaying". Ms. Shearer is just a step behind her co-stars in artful acting; but, it's a a gap she will very quickly fill. Shearer is terrific in the scene when she learns Novarro is leaving, and helps him pack. Philipe de Lacy is notable, playing the Prince as a boy; his characterization matches the older Novarro - director Lubitsch directs these early sequences effectively, creating the image of a young prince in his castle prison.
When a couple of important people in the Prince's life die, the story becomes necessarily more somber in tone. Of course, Novarro must eventually become King - these scenes are beautifully symbolic, and extraordinarily well photographed. The visit by an old friend prompts Novarro's return to Old Heidelberg, with unexpected results. Don't miss a later scene, when Novarro returns to his Old Heidelberg bedroom - especially, watch how Novarro briefly strokes his bed, obviously thinking of Shearer; it's a superb little bit of sexual suggestion. It would be nice to know whether the gesture originated with Novarro or Lubitsch - but, it's probably not possible to determine. "Is it Good to be King?" You'll know when you see Novarro's beautifully acted final scene, in his royal carriage - certainly, it's one of the most memorable performances in silent cinema.
********** The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (9/21/27) Ernst Lubitsch ~ Ramon Novarro, Norma Shearer, Jean Hersholt, Philippe de Lacy
- wes-connors
- Sep 23, 2007
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Old Heidelberg
- Filming locations
- Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany(establishing shots - not used in final film)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,205,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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By what name was The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927) officially released in India in English?
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