The Prince Who Was a Thief (1951) DVD-R

Starring Tony Curtis, Piper Laurie, Everett Sloane, Jeff Corey, Better Garde, Peggie Castle
Directed by Rudolph Mate

Print: color
Runtime: 88 min.
Genre: adventure
Print Quality: B+

Universal's newest "heartthrobs" Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie were first teamed in this
lavish adaptation of Theodore Dreiser's The Prince Who Was a Thief. Curtis stars as Julna,
the rightful heir to a Middle Eastern throne. Kidnapped in infancy, Julna is raised as a thief
by the roguish Yussef (Everett Sloane). Eventually, however, Julna's true identity is revealed,
prompting him to lead a revolt against the evil, usurping Mustapha (Donald Randolph). Piper
Laurie steals the show as Tina, a carnival contortionist who falls in love with Julna and
helps him regain his throne (most of Laurie's trickier stunts were performed in long shot by
a much heftier double). Fine escapist entertainment, The Prince Who Was a Thief secured
major stardom for both its leading players. And no, this is not the film in which Tony Curtis
utters the apocryphal line "Yonduh lies duh castle of my faddah."