Professional Soldier

1935
A
1h 15m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Freddie Bartholomew and Victor McLaglen in Professional Soldier (1935)

Mercenary Donovan is hired to kidnap King Peter II. He learns that the party in power is evil and that the King is in danger, so kidnaps the King to keep him safe while a revolution is plann... Read allMercenary Donovan is hired to kidnap King Peter II. He learns that the party in power is evil and that the King is in danger, so kidnaps the King to keep him safe while a revolution is planned.Mercenary Donovan is hired to kidnap King Peter II. He learns that the party in power is evil and that the King is in danger, so kidnaps the King to keep him safe while a revolution is planned.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

231

YOUR RATING

7User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

User reviews7

Featured review

6/10

Damon Runyon in Scotland

Soldier of fortune Victor McLaglen (as Michael Donovan) is unhappy being employed to watch over playboy Michael Whalen (as George Foster), who frequently gets into trouble with liquor and ladies. When asked by citizens of a small European country to abduct their king, Mr. McLaglen happily agrees. The usurpers don't want their royal ruler harmed during the revolution because he is young Freddie Bartholomew (as King Peter II). At a costume party for royal subjects, Mr. Whalen meets lovely Gloria Stuart (as Countess Sonia), and they are mutually attracted. McLaglen meets young Bartholomew, but balks at kidnapping a mere "kid"...

Bartholomew finds the idea adventurous and insists on going along with the plan...

This isn't the writer's usual setting, but Damon Runyon's "Gentlemen, the King!" feels right at home with McLaglen's presence and Bartholomew's "little king" expressing much fondness for Runyonesque America. The supporting cast is enriched by the presence of Constance Collier (as Lady Augusta) and C. Henry Gordon (as Gino) is an effective lead villain. The black-and-white cinematography by Rudolph Mate is noteworthy. He combines with director Tay Garnett for some striking moments, especially in the castle. Mr. Mate could have given us more footage of beautiful gypsy dancer Rita Hayworth, but he made up for it in her later films.

****** Professional Soldier (12/27/35) Tay Garnett ~ Victor McLaglen, Freddie Bartholomew, Michael Whalen, Gloria Stuart

wes-connors
Aug 20, 2012
Permalink

Photos12

+ 6

More like this

6.3

Criminals of the Air

6.3

Woman Tamer

6.4

The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo

6.7

Public Hero Number 1

7.2

The Whole Town's Talking

5.7

6.2

6.4

6.5

6.8

6.3

6.6

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
During the finale, live rounds were fired at actors Victor McLaglen and Freddie Bartholomew. The rounds were fired off screen, by Marine snipers.

Quotes
Col. Michael Donovan: Now, where were we, gentlemen? What's in it for me? I've got ten grand in Nicaragua. I'm awfully expensive.
Christian Ledgard: We will give you fifty thousand.
Col. Michael Donovan: And hospital expenses?
Paul Valdis: [There is a pause, as the two men look at each other] Yes.
Col. Michael Donovan: [Slaps his knees] Gentlemen, when do we start?
Christian Ledgard: At once. If you are caught, you will not implicate us under any condition. And we warn you in advance, we will do nothing to save you.
Col. Michael Donovan: Aw, you came to the right man!

Soundtracks
Marines' Hymn
(uncredited)
Music from the "Gendarmes' Duet" from the opera "Geneviève de Brabant"
Written by Jacques Offenbach
Played over the opening and closing credits