ronald colman shine in the dual role of the dissipated crown prince rudolph and the simple englishman and rudolph rassendyl . the crown prince predilection for the bottle recall colman earlier portrayal of the dark side of sydney carton from a tale of two city . in contrast and rassendyll reluctant gallantry and abide integrity and honor epitomize the quality for which matinée idol colman have become know during his famous film career . his scene with the incandescent madeleine carroll be especially felicitous and both visually and aurally . the poignant and penultimate scene of the film leave this reviewer with a wistful sense of regret that the prisoner of zenda be to be their only cinematic collaboration . raymond massey be never well a the ambitious duke michael . the expressionistic quality of his facial contortion make his line almost superfluous . the rakish count rupert and play by douglas fairbanks and jr. and represent the archetypal rogue . his perennial smile and abide charm and and sardonic wit make him a curious composite of don juan and mephistopheles . like massey and i have never see the underrated son of the silent screen most dashing hero in good form . the film remain actor acquit themselves more than adequately . mary astor be the lovely antoinette and duke michael devote and yet unfairly and neglect paramour . her consistently dark raiment and shadowy movement be perhaps reflective of her lover illegitimate origin and while at the same time belie her kind heart . visually this be contrast with the always radiant princess flavia . the two royal bodyguard and colonel zapt and captain von tarlenheim and be a case study and to my mind and a to why film like the prisoner of zenda be consistently superior to today mediocre fare . although relatively less role and they be capable of and and on more than one occasion and do dominate a give scene while moreover and in their own way they be a fully develop a any of the principal . the abide sense of honor and loyalty express by c. aubrey smith colonel zapt be so profoundly felt and reflective of a long vanished ethos and that one laugh to think of any contemporary actor make such utterance . the paradox would be strike . a for zapt protégé and captain von tarlenheim and give the camera fondness for the handsome young star and it will come a no surprise to learn that this role be reputedly david niven first act breakthrough . his gift for dry english understatement be the occasion for one especially humorous scene steal moment that i will generously leave to the curious viewer to enjoy for himself . with such an outstanding and marquee cast that live up to it advanced billing and then some and it be not difficult to understand why this film be such a rouse success when it premier in 1937 while so successful and in fact and that it be copy verbatim by mgm 15 year later after it purchase the right from selznick . with no slight intend to stewart granger et al . and you can not improve on perfection .