Film

King Ralph (1991)

Director: David S Ward

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

When the entire English royal family is killed in a freak accident, a team of scholars sets about finding an heir to the throne. Meet Ralph Jones (Goodman), Las Vegas entertainer and all-round loser. The reluctant monarch makes his way to face the horrors of etiquette, corgis and entourage, and before long Buckingham Palace comes to resemble a fun-fair. Meanwhile, dastardly Lord Graves (Hurt, wonderfully hammy) plots his fall from grace. This lame hybrid of travelogue and (attempted) satire introduces the unwary American to English cuisine, cricket and newspapers, and any notions that the film is irreverent are trashed by a concluding homage to the monarchy. The ever-watchable Goodman is given no opportunity to exercise his intelligence here, while Hurt and O'Toole (impeccable as the King's private secretary) go through the paces. Laughable - without the laughs.

---

• 
•