The King's Thief
| The King's Thief | |
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| Directed by | Robert Z. Leonard |
| Produced by | Edwin H. Knopf |
| Written by |
Robert Hardy Andrews (Story) Christopher Knopf |
| Starring |
Ann Blyth Edmund Purdom David Niven George Sanders |
| Music by | Miklós Rózsa |
| Cinematography | Robert Planck |
| Edited by | John McSweeney, Jr. |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
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Release date
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Running time
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78 mins. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,577,000 |
| Box office | $1,549,000 |
The King's Thief is a 1955 swashbuckling CinemaScope adventure film directed by Robert Z. Leonard. Released on August 5, 1955, the film takes place in London at the time of Charles II and stars Ann Blyth, Edmund Purdom, David Niven, George Sanders and Roger Moore.
James (Niven), the Duke of Brampton and the richest man in England, is so trusted by King Charles II (Sanders), he is able to have two of the King's loyal friends executed for treason. The second is the father of Lady Mary (Blyth). She travels from France to London to seek justice. While there, she meets Michael Dermott (Purdom), a soldier who fought to restore Charles to the throne.
He and many others were never paid for their services, unbeknownst to the King. He therefore turned highwayman. He and his comrades rob the Duke and come into possession of the Duke's notebook. In it are listed twelve rich and powerful people, as well as details of their possessions. Two names are crossed out; it does not take long for Michael to realize that the other ten are in peril for their lives. Michael first tries to blackmail the Duke, but without much success. A fence named Simon betrays his hiding place. Michael and his comrade Jack (Moore) escape from the Duke's soldiers, though Michael is wounded in the shoulder. Adventure abounds as the Duke tries to retrieve his property before it can be used against him.
The film was based on a story by Christopher Knopf, and was produced by his father Edwin. Robert Taylor and then Stewart Granger were at first announced as the star. Eventually the lead was given to Edmund Purdom who MGM were building into a star at the time.
Michael Wilding was going to play the villain before being replaced by David Niven.
According to MGM records the film earned only $478,000 in the US and Canada and $1,071,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $707,000.
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Wikipedia