The Student Prince (1954)

The Student Prince - 1954

Coming up next (and in memory of John Ericson, who passed away just a few days ago), we feature 1954's "The Student Prince", a musical about a prince who turns to university life in an effort to make him more human and approachable.  What he gets is a lesson in love that will change him forever.

The film's cast includes Ann Blyth, Edmund Purdom, John Ericson, Louis Calhern, S.Z. Sakall, Betta St. John, John Williams, Evelyn Varden, and John Hoyt.

Prince Karl Franz of Karlsberg does everything for his country.  His engagement to a foreign princess is also a form of duty.  His grandfather, King Ferdinand, advises him that the country of Karlsberg has survived because its men have married well.  The country needs the dowry that Princess Johanna of Nordhausen will bring desperately.

The next evening, Princess Johanna is presented to the court of Karlsberg at a grand ball in her honor.  She and Prince Karl lead the dancing.

They are watched by King Ferdinand and by Johanna's mother, Queen Mathilda.  "You know, Ferdie, I believe Karl is even better looking than you were at his age," smiles the Queen.  "Not at all," says the King.  "My dear Mathilda, it's just that time has dimmed your memory."

The Princess asks Karl to take her into the garden for a private moment.  There, she attempts to get to know him better.   But she finds he's all business and no pleasure.  She's not at all sure that Karl is the man for her.

In fact, Queen Mathilda tells the King as much later on.  Karl behaves too much like a Prussian war machine.  He's going to have to change if he wants Princess Johanna to marry him.

The King summons Karl to his room late at night.  He tells Karl something has to be done to change his manner.  He should pay more attention to things like dancing than to his military ways.  "What have you been doing with your time?" asks the King.  "Following your orders," replies Karl.  "Never mind my orders.  Just do as I tell you!" thunders the King in turn.

It's recommended that Karl attend the University of Heidelberg, where he'll be able to rub shoulders with ordinary people and smooth out his rough edges.  He goes with an alias.  His true identity is known only to those he is traveling with and the innkeeper and his niece.

The innkeeper's niece, Kathie, is quite popular with all the students at Heidelberg.  Her delightful singing voice and her pretty looks make her most agreeable.

Karl takes one look at her and seems to concur.  After she delivers an address to him, she shows him to his rooms.

In the privacy of his rooms, Karl takes certain liberties with Kathie, to which she does not respond kindly.  She doesn't hold back and lets him know what she really thinks.

All is forgiven, and Kathie advises Karl on which student club to join.  She tells him to join the Westphalians.  It's a group of commoners, but they are much more down to earth than the aristocratic Saxo-Borussians.

Karl takes her advice, and the Westphalians welcome him with open arms.  After a large quantity of beer, Karl makes another advance towards Kathie.  She, however, knocks him down.

The prince's handler, Lutz, goes to see Kathie's uncle, Joseph Ruder.  "Are we alone?" asks Lutz.  "Alone?  No.  We are together," says Herr Ruder.  Lutz tells the innkeeper that he can make things difficult for him because of Kathie's "assault" on the prince.  He's advised to send her away.

Kathie goes to get a job in a restaurant.  After learning of her new employment, Karl goes after her.

When she loses her job, Karl begs her to come back to Heidelberg.  On the way back, she begins to fall in love with him.

One night, Karl is having a good time with his fellow Westphalians.  The leader of the Saxo-Borussians learns his true identity and rushes to have him join their group.  Karl refuses, saying he is happy with his choice.

The Saxo-Borussian leader, Count von Asterburg, is insulted and challenges Karl to a duel.

The two find a space and commence the fight.  Karl ultimately wins, scratching the Count on the face.  The two shake hands and part as friends.

Kathie anxiously awaits the results of the duel.  When Karl comes out, she rushes into his arms.  And they sing of their love for one another.

At a carnival later on, the two make plans to run away together.  Each goes to their own rooms to pack their belongings.

Just as Karl is ready to go, the Prime Minister comes to him and tells him that his grandfather urgently requests his presence at home.  Karl goes to Kathie and tells her that he'll come back when the time is right.

King Ferdinand notices that Heidelberg has changed Karl and likes the new man he sees before him.  The King tells Karl that plans for his marriage to Princess Johanna are complete, and the wedding will take place very soon.  Karl tells his grandfather that he doesn't want to be king.  He wants to be a just a man.  The king gets angry and storms off.

When Karl confronts the Prime Minister and alleges that he tricked him into coming home, the Prime Minister tells him that the king is very sick, sicker than he realizes.  He, in fact, is dying, and Karl needs to be ready to assume the throne.

Ultimately, King Ferdinand does die, and the new King Karl of Karlsberg stands before his grandfather's coffin and sings the poignant song "I'll Walk With God".  Karl knows what he has to do.  He must sacrifice his love for Kathie for his duty and marry Princess Johanna.

The song is very beautiful, so I'll include the lyrics here.

I'll walk with God from this day on.
His helping hand I'll lean upon.
This is my prayer, my humble plea.
May the Lord be ever with me.

There is no death though eyes grow dim.
There is no fear when I'm near to Him.
I'll lean on Him forever,
And He'll forsake me never.

He will not fail me as long as my faith is strong
Whatever road I may walk alone.

I'll walk with God.  I'll take His hand.
I'll talk with God.  He'll understand.

I'll pray to Him, each day to Him.
And He'll hear the words that I say.
His hand will guide my throne and rod.
And I'll never walk alone while I walk with God.

On his way to get married, Karl stops at Heidelberg and sees Kathie.  She's heard of his upcoming marriage and wishes him well.  They part and lovingly say their goodbyes.

Karl continues on his journey, leaving Heidelberg a very different man than when he came.

Cast rundown:

   Ann Blyth......................................Kathie Ruder

   Edmund Purdom.............................Prince Karl Franz

   John Ericson..................................Count von Asterburg

   Louis Calhern.................................King Ferdinand

   Edmund Gwenn..............................Professor Juttner

   S.Z. Sakall.....................................Joseph Ruder

   Betta St. John................................Princess Johanna

   John Williams.................................Lutz

   Evelyn Varden................................Queen Mathilda

   John Hoyt......................................Prime Minister von Mark

And that's all for The Student Prince.  This film is a version of a famous operetta.  In the play, Princess Johanna is actually in love with a Count Tarnitz, and they must also sacrifice their love for duty.  Count Tarnitz does not appear in the film version.  The film version also takes place in months, while the play takes the span of two years.  This is the final film performance of S.Z. Sakall.

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