King of the Ritz is a 1933 British musical film directed by Carmine Gallone and Herbert Smith and starring Stanley Lupino, Betty Stockfeld and Hugh Wakefield. It was written by Clifford Grey, Ivor Montagu, Stafford Dickens and Lupino based on the 1923 play Le Roi des Palaces by Henry Kistemaeckers. A separate French-language version Le Roi Des Palace (King of the Hotel) (1932) was made, with Stockfeld appearing in both films.
Plot summary While working at a top hotel, the head porter falls in love with a wealthy female guest.
Cast Stanley Lupino as Claude King Betty Stockfeld as Mrs. Cooper Hugh Wakefield as King of Blitz Henry Kendall as Teddy Smith Gina Malo as Victoria Gibb McLaughlin as Baron Popov Harry Milton as Alonso John Singer as pageboy
Reception Film Weekly wrote: "The production is as polished as you could wish, and the players do their pieces with considerable enthusiasm. The probable explanation of the result being only mildly amusing – and then just at the best moments – is that the Continental spirit of the original was lost in the act of 'translation'."
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Aided by well-chosen musical numbers, Gallone's direction achieves fluent rhythm, but action drags at times. Stanley Lupino gives entertaining performance as omniscient hotel 'king,' while excellent work is done by Hugh Wakefield, Gina Malo, and bevies of beautiful girls. One of the most 'de luxe ' pictures to date – good general booking."
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