Kulkurien kuningas

Friml's operetta "The Vagabond King" (1925) follows the life of François Villon and is set in the second half of the 15th century. The operetta itself was based on Justin Huntly McCarthy's romantic novel "If I Were King" (1901) (and its theatrical dramatization, written by the same author). The qualities of this film adaptation are defined by the Technicolor of the time, and seeing only the black and white version is like seeing a completely different film. However, the film's reputation is not entirely steeped in superlatives, and Jeanette MacDonald herself has also only spread a sort of socially acceptable gloss. However, this did not slow down her career and Friml also kept the door open to Hollywood studios. Another film adaptation was made in 1956, and there is also a recording of a 1975 theatrical production from HDK. (13.11.2021)