King Louis XI masquerades as a commoner in Paris, seeking out the treachery he is sure lurks in his kingdom. At a local tavern, he overhears the brash poet François Villon extolling why he would be a better king. Annoyed yet intrigued, the King bestows on Villon the title of Grand Constable. Soon Villon begins work and falls for a lovely lady-in-waiting, but then must flee execution when the King turns on him.

Ronald Colman
as François Villon

Basil Rathbone
as Louis XI

Frances Dee
as Katherine de Vaucelles

Ellen Drew
as Huguette

C. V. France
as Father Villon

Henry Wilcoxon
as Captain of the Watch

Heather Thatcher
as The Queen

Stanley Ridges
as Rene de Montigny

Bruce Lester
as Noel de Jolys

Alma Lloyd
as Colette
CinemaSerf
This is a cracking bit of swashbuckling adventure with Ronald Colman ("Villon") and particularly Basil Rathbone (Louis XI) on top form. The former is a poetic vagabond, Robin Hood style, character who pinches what he can to help feed the population of a besieged Paris, whilst their King sits in his ...