HER HIGHNESS AND THE BELLBOY

US, 1945, 112 minutes, Black and white.
Hedy Lamarr, Robert Walker, June Allyson, Carl Esmond, Agnes Morehead, Rags Ragland, Ludwig Stossel, Warner Anderson.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.

Her Highness and the Bellboy is a light romantic comedy released at the end of World War II, harking back to the kingdoms in Europe prior to World War II, the ending of many of the kingdoms and the focus on relationship with the United States.

Robert Walker is Jimmy, a pleasant bellboy, looking after his girlfriend, Leslie, June Allyson, who has a psychosomatic illness that confines her to bed (though she has earned dreams song and dance sequence). With his friend, Albert, he pretends to do tours of the city by taking her to the roof, reading fairy stories and, finally, the gift of a radio. Albert is played by Rags Ragland, popular in supporting roles, capitalising on his daffy sense of humour, a sympathetic character, put upon by some criminals, but devoted to Jimmy and to Leslie – with his characteristic of adding an extra syllable to most words including Lesalie.

Hedy Lamarr, always beautiful, plays the Princess Veronica, eager to come from Europe to meet a journalist with whom she had fallen in love. She makes friends with Jimmy who shows her round without realising who she is, who is then fired by his hotel but employed by her, especially to find the journalist. Jimmy is smitten, begins to neglect Lesley, is not so friendly with Albert and, when the king dies and Veronica becomes Queen, is invited to go to Europe to serve her.

Needless to say, Jimmy comes to his romantic senses, thanks Veronica but stays with Leslie.

1. A romantic film released at the end of World War II? Its 1930s setting? The continent of Europe? The small kingdoms? The contrast with the United States and New York City?

2. Black-and-white photography, suggesting the royalty of Europe, the focus on New York City, hotels, the streets, ordinary apartments? The musical score, songs, the dancing interlude?

3. The title and the tone?

4. The focus on Princess Veronica, the niece of the King, the strictures of royalty, her wanting to go to America, the past relationship with Paul, breaking it off, wanted to see him again? Her arrival in America, her entourage, the preparations, Mr Puft, Countess Zoe, the management of the hotel, her rooms and the service?

5. Hedy Lamarr as Veronica, her screen presence, beauty? Her manner of royalty? Her interactions with the entourage, with Zoe? Her going out, the back door, being seen by the bellboys, Jimmy and his charm, his talking with her, accompanying her, sitting with her, the return and his discovering who she was?

6. Albert, bellboy, a bit slow, yet kind, caught up with the criminals and their putting pressure on him, Jimmy taking charge of him? Relying on him? His fascination with the Princess? The contrast with their apartment, the friendship with Lesley, looking after her, Albert pretending to be the taxi driver, going on to the roof, getting Jimmy to read the story, all the people on the roof listening to the story? The genial character of Albert, – and his pronunciations, adding a syllable to most words?

7. Jimmy, fired, employed by Veronica, his constant attentions, the effect on him, falling in love? Her not realising this? Her wanting to see Paul? Jimmy knowing him, the possibility for the interview, his discussions with Paul? The meeting with Veronica – Paul and his bitterness about the past?

8. Leslie, the psychosomatic illness, unable to walk, in the apartment, her aunt, Albert and Jimmy looking after her? The imaginary outings? The visit to the radio shop, Albert shoplifting and Jimmy making him return the goods? Playing the music and the gift for Leslie?

9. Leslie, the doctors and their analysis, her dream, singing, dancing?

10. Veronica, wanting to go out, to the joint, waiting, the songs and dances, the waiter looking at her, meeting with Paul? Jimmy dressed up, going to see Leslie, her resignation? The criminals and the fight, everybody becoming involved, Veronica arrested, forcing her into the van? Their talk, love, but her devotion to duty?

11. News of the death of the King, Veronica absent, Albert turning up, Jimmie? Her release from jail, return, her becoming Queen, her sense of duty? Inviting Jimmy to come with her?

12. His packing, talking with Albert, going to see Leslie – and telling Veronica that he had changed his mind? Happy ending?