The King's Thief (1955)

Interesting facts

The King's Thief is a 1955 CinemaScope historical adventure film directed by Robert Z. Leonard, who replaced Hugo Fregonese during filming. Released on August 5, 1955, the film takes place in London at the time of Charles II and stars Ann Blyth, Edmund Purdom, David Niven, George Sanders and Roger Moore.

Production notes

MGM had a big hit at the box office with Ivanhoe (1952), a swashbuckling adventure film, leading to them making a cycle of such films. In October 1952 they announced they would make The King's Thief based on an original story by Robert Hardy Andrews about an Irish patriot during the reign of Charles II (likely based on Thomas Blood). Edwin Knopf was to produce and Knopf's son Christopher wrote the script.

MGM then announced Robert Taylor would play the lead. Then by April 1953 Granger was back as star. Eventually the lead was given to Edmund Purdom who MGM were building into a star at the time.

In February 1954 MGM announced the film would be part of its schedule for the following year and would be directed by Gottfried Reinhardt.

The female lead went to Ann Blyth. Michael Wilding was going to play the villain before being replaced by David Niven in early December. It was a rare villain part for Niven.

Filming started 15 December 1954 under the direction of Hugo Fregonese. By early January, Fregonese had been replaced by MGM veteran Robert Z. Leonard who had been in semi-retirement since completing Her Twelve Men (1954) about twelve months previously. The Los Angeles Times reported that Fregonese and Edward Knopf "did not see eye to eye during production."

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