| Academy Awards, USA | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Nominated | Oscar | Best Writing, Original Story Charles MacArthur |
MGM
Directed by Richard Boleslawski
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Warner Archive Collection)
The Barrymore family portrays Russian royalty who come under the influence of a pedophile priest with deluded ambitions of power. Lionel Barrymore overplays the part of the mad monk, who uses hypnotism on the youngest prince to gain entry to the royal chambers. He easily controls the weakest members, the women and children, but struggles with the men, particularly Prince Chegodieff, played by his brother John. All of the Barrymore's act in an overwrought manner, more suitable for silents than the new talkies. Nonetheless, there are some memorable scenes, particularly the final confrontation between Lionel, John and a poisoned cupcake.
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