If I Were King

Colman is without peer in his portrayal of the famous French poet and ne'er-do-well Francois Villon, who lived among the rabble of 15th century Paris. During a tavern brawl, he kills the oppressive Grand Constable of Paris. and the intellectual troublemaker is brought before the cunning King Louis XI (Rathbone). In a shrewd move, Rathbone thinks to satisfy his downtrodden people by elevating their champion to an all-powerful post, one where he can improve conditions he has so loudly condemned. If he fails, he will be executed for his past transgressions. He only has a week to perform the miracle. While at court, strutting in his new princely finery, Colman meets and falls in love with noblewoman Dee. He soon wins her heart, but he is still likely to lose his head. An army of Burgundians advancing on Paris provides a respite. When the royal army fails to stop the invaders, Colman rallies the peasants of Paris and leads them into battle, routing the would-be conquerors. A grateful Rathbone pardons Colman for his past sins against the crown and sends him into exile instead of to the headsman. He is also given Dee's hand in marriage. (official distributor synopsis)