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The Student Prince In Old Heidelberg

Production: Not Available; Premiere: Not Available;
Released: September 21, 1927;
Production/Distribution Companies: Metro Goldwyn Mayer;
Runtime: 106 min;
Country: USA;
Language: English;
Color: Black and White;
Sound Mix: unknown;
Available on VHS;


Cast: Ramon Novarro as Prince Karl Heinrich; Norma Shearer as Kathi; Jean Hersholt as Dr. Juttner; Gustav von Seyffertitz as King Karl VII; Philippe De Lacy as Heir Apparent; Edgar Norton as Lutz; Bobby Mack as Kellerman; Edward Connelly as Court marshal; Otis Harlan as Old Ruder; John S. Peters as Student; George K. Arthur as Student;


Production Credits:
Produced by: Irving Thalberg;
Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch;
Writers: Hans Kraly; Marian Ainslee; Ruth Cummings;
Gowns by: Unknown;
Editing: Andrew Marton;


Reviews:

“In this new offering, Mr. Lubitsch lives up to all that has been written about him. He may be a stylist, but he is one who does not choose to repeat on any of his past bright camera ideas. Yet the satirical shafts, the careful attention to telling details, the half-second noted and the keeping within certain bounds, inform the spectator, even though the name of Lubitsch were not emblazoned on the screen, that it is the master from Berlin who has directed this splendid shadow story.
Ramon Novarro acts the part of the prince after he has reached the University student age. Mr. Novarro is natural and earnest, but a little too Latin in appearance for the role. Norma Shearer is attractive as Kathie. She, however, does not seem to put her soul into the part. She, too, acts very well, but like Mr. Novarro she does not respond to other players have done to Mr. Lubitsch’s direction. The ablest acting in this piece of work is done by Jean Hersholt as Doctor Juttner and Gustave Von Seyffertitz as the King. Their efforts in all their scenes reveal their sensitiveness to the direction. Bobby Mack is capital as Kellerman and Edgar Norton gives a fine character study as Lutz, the smileless and haughty servant.”
Mordaunt Hall in the New York Times, September 22, 1927

“This is the best work that Ramon Novarro has ever done. It is comparable with the best work that any one has ever done on the screen. Norma Shearer as the girl gives a performance that is excellent at times, and at other times, a trifle laborious. Jean Hersholt, of course, is perfect.”
Robert E. Sherwood in Life magazine, October 13, 2007

“Ernst Lubitsch gets the very best out of his company. Ramon Novarro has a fine part as Prince Karl Heinrich and fills it with charming sincerity. Norma Shearer is a graceful, tender Kathie; and if the Dr. Juttner is rather younger than we remember his predecessors to have been, he has lost none of his loveableness in the hands of Jean Hersholt. The careful casting and perfect acting of every part, down to the very smallest, give a fine finish to this wholly attractive film.”
Michael Orme in the Illustrated London News, February 18, 1928


Notes:

-No one is exactly sure of the film’s exact title. The few surviving prints of the film only contain the title, Old Heidelberg, while certain posters only announce the previously mentioned, or The Student Prince or The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg.