The King Without a Crown Poster

The King Without a Crown 1937

★ 5.56 votes10 min📅 1937-10-09

Dive into the shadowy corridors of history with *The King Without a Crown (1937)*, Jacques Tourneur's intriguing short documentary that unravels one of the French Revolution's most enduring mysteries.

Director: Jacques Tourneur

Cast

Carey Wilson
Carey Wilson
Narrator (voice)
Scotty Beckett
Scotty Beckett
Louis XVII, the Dauphin (uncredited)
John Burton
Inquiring French Nobleman Hudson (uncredited)
Doris Lloyd
Doris Lloyd
Marie Antoinette (uncredited)
Leonard Mudie
Leonard Mudie
Missionary Eleazar Williams (uncredited)
Zeffie Tilbury
Zeffie Tilbury
Dying Duchess Marie (uncredited)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The King Without a Crown (1937) about?

This 10-minute documentary investigates the controversial theory that Louis XVII, heir to the French throne, survived the French Revolution. Instead of meeting a grim fate in prison, the film suggests he was taken in by Native American tribes in America, offering a daring twist on historical fate.

Who directed The King Without a Crown?

Jacques Tourneur, the acclaimed filmmaker behind cult horror classics like *I Walked with a Zombie* and *Night of the Demon*, directed this intriguing short documentary.

Who stars in The King Without a Crown?

The film features Carey Wilson, Scotty Beckett, John Burton, Doris Lloyd, and Leonard Mudie as key contributors to its documentary narrative.

Is The King Without a Crown (1937) worth watching?

While it's a short film with a runtime of just 10 minutes, *The King Without a Crown* offers a compelling blend of history and mystery. Its exploration of a controversial historical theory makes it a fascinating watch for fans of documentaries and period dramas, even if it's more of a niche curiosity than a mainstream classic.

How long is The King Without a Crown?

The King Without a Crown (1937) runs for approximately 10 minutes.

About The King Without a Crown (1937) — The Untold Story of Louis XVII's Escape

Dive into the shadowy corridors of history with *The King Without a Crown (1937)*, Jacques Tourneur's intriguing short documentary that unravels one of the French Revolution's most enduring mysteries. Directed by the visionary filmmaker behind classics like *Cat People*, Tourneur crafts a thought-provoking narrative around the fate of Louis XVII, the young son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who was presumed dead in a Parisian prison. But what if he escaped the guillotine's shadow? This 10-minute film explores a daring theory: that the boy survived, fled across the Atlantic, and was raised among Native American tribes. Blending history, mystery, and documentary elements, Tourneur's work immerses viewers in a world where royal intrigue meets untamed wilderness, all wrapped in the eerie atmosphere of post-revolutionary France.

The film's premise hinges on a tantalizing what-if, turning historical record into a gripping tale of identity and survival. With a runtime perfect for a quick but captivating viewing experience, *The King Without a Crown (1937)* is a hidden gem for history buffs and mystery lovers alike. Its concise yet evocative storytelling leaves audiences questioning the boundaries between legend and fact, all while showcasing the documentary genre's power to challenge our perceptions of the past.