Prince of Players (1955)
Were the Whispers True?
102 min
This biopic follows the story of Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth and his rise to fame. Edwin's career begins when he replaces his alcoholic father, the great actor Junius Brutus Booth, in a production of "Richard III" after Junius forgets his lines. As an adult, Edwin performs many lead roles and sparks a rivalry with his brother, John Wilkes. But after his brief time as a celebrity, Edwin's career is cut short by family tragedy.
- Release date
- January 11, 1955
- Country of origin
- United States
- Music
- Bernard Herrmann
Soundtrack
Original scoreGarden of Evil / Prince of Players1996 · 47 tracks
- Prince of Players (prelude)instrumental2:20
- The Tourinstrumental0:21
- The Dressing Roominstrumental1:21
- Idyllinstrumental3:53
- Hamlet (interlude)instrumental0:31
- The Traitorinstrumental1:24
- Murderinstrumental0:35
- Finaleinstrumental0:48
- Garden of Evil (prelude)instrumental1:30
- Siestainstrumental1:39
- The Startinstrumental0:24
- The Cliffsinstrumental1:47
Cast
- Richard Burton as Edwin Booth
- Maggie McNamara as Mary Devlin Booth
- John Derek as John Wilkes Booth
- Raymond Massey as Junius Brutus Booth
- Charles Bickford as Dave Prescott
- Elizabeth Sellars as Asia Booth
- Eva Le Gallienne as Gertrude in 'Hamlet'
- Christopher Cook as Edwin Booth at 10
- Dayton Lummis as English Doctor
- Ian Keith as Ghost of Hamlet's Father in 'Hamlet'
Crew
- Philip Dunne · Director
- Moss Hart · Writer
- Eleanor Ruggles · Writer
- Philip Dunne · Producer
- Bernard Herrmann · Composer
- Charles G. Clarke · Cinematographer
- Dorothy Spencer · Editor