THE ROYAL BED

Cinemavixion Review

Lowell Sherman's 1931 comedy "The Royal Bed" offers a sharp, if somewhat dated, look at the machinations of a small European monarchy. The film, starring Sherman himself as the beleaguered king and Mary Astor as the princess, cleverly balances domestic strife with political unrest. The plot sees the king navigating a domineering queen, a rebellious daughter eager to elope, a brewing peasant revolt, and the sinister ambitions of his own son. Sherman, also directing, brings a nuanced performance to the troubled monarch, while Astor shines as the princess caught in the crossfire. "The Royal Bed" serves as an amusing, albeit brief, fable of power, family, and the absurdities that can plague even the most gilded of thrones.