The Mudlark, made in England in 1950 by 20th Century Fox, is a completely fictionalized account of how Queen Victoria was eventually brought out of her mourning for Prince Albert. It was directed by Jean Negulesco. Jean Negulesco (Craiova, Romania, February 26, 1900–July 18, 1993), also known as Jean Negulescu, was a Romanian-born American film director. ... Nunnally Johnson (December 5, 1897 - March 25, 1977) was an American filmmaker who wrote, produced, and directed films. ... Irene Dunne in Love Affair (1939) Irene Dunne (December 20, 1898 - September 4, 1990), was born Irene Marie Dunn in Louisville, Kentucky. ... Sir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE (April 2, 1914 – August 5, 2000) was an Oscar-winning English actor who became one of the most versatile and best-loved performers of his generation. ... Andrew Ray (b. ... Finlay Currie was a Scottish-born British actor on stage, screen and television. ... William Alwyn (November 7, 1905 – September 11, 1985) was an English composer, conductor, and music teacher. ... Fox Plaza, the company headquarters. ... United States is the current Good Article Collaboration of the week! Please help to improve this article to the highest of standards. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq... See also: 1949 in film 1950 1951 in film 1950s in film 1940s in film years in film film // Events February 15 - Walt Disney Studios animated film Cinderella debuts. ... Fox Plaza, the company headquarters. ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ... Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Prince Albert piercing Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence Prince Albert of Monaco Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Prince Albert National Park, Canada Prince Albert in a Can This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the... Jean Negulesco (Craiova, Romania, February 26, 1900–July 18, 1993), also known as Jean Negulescu, was a Romanian-born American film director. ...

Plot (spoilers included)

A young urchin (Andrew Ray) - the "Mudlark" of the title -, half-starved and without a place to sleep, finds a locket containing the likeness of Queen Victoria (played in the film by Irene Dunne). Not knowing who the likeness is, he is told that she is the "mother of all England". Taking the remark literally, he journeys to the palace to see her. When he is accidentally caught by the palace guards, the boy is mistakenly thought to be part of an assassination plot against the Queen. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (played by Alec Guinness), recognizes that the boy is innocent and pleads for him in Parliament, delivering a heartfelt, eloquent speech that indirectly criticizes the Queen for withdrawing from public life. The Queen is infuriated by the speech, but she is genuinely moved upon meeting the boy for the first time, and once again enters public life, just in time for the Diamond Jubilee. Andrew Ray (b. ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ... Irene Dunne in Love Affair (1939) Irene Dunne (December 20, 1898 - September 4, 1990), was born Irene Marie Dunn in Louisville, Kentucky. ... Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (December 21, 1804 - April 24, British Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and author. ... Sir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE (April 2, 1914 – August 5, 2000) was an Oscar-winning English actor who became one of the most versatile and best-loved performers of his generation. ... States currently utilizing parliamentary systems are denoted in orange and red—the former being constitutional monarchies where authority is vested in a parliament, and the latter being parliamentary republics whose parliaments are effectively supreme over a separate head of state. ... A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary. ...

The film made an overnight star of Andrew Ray and was a hit in England, but not in the U.S. However, it is very highly thought of by several critics, and Alec Guinness's speech in Parliament is considered a highlight of the film. Sir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE (April 2, 1914 – August 5, 2000) was an Oscar-winning English actor who became one of the most versatile and best-loved performers of his generation. ... States currently utilizing parliamentary systems are denoted in orange and red—the former being constitutional monarchies where authority is vested in a parliament, and the latter being parliamentary republics whose parliaments are effectively supreme over a separate head of state. ...

Finlay Currie also appears in the film as Queen Victoria's servant, John Brown. Finlay Currie was a Scottish-born British actor on stage, screen and television. ... John Brown John Brown (December 8, 1826 - March 27, 1883) was born in Crathie, Scotland, and went to work as a servant (in Scots ghillie or gillie) at Balmoral Castle when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built it (1853-1855). ...

Award nomination

The Mudlark was nominated for the Academy Award for Costume Design in a black and white film (Edward Stevenson and Margaret Furse). This Academy Award was first given for movies made in 1948 when separate awards were given for black-and-white and color movies. ...

External links

• The Mudlark at the Internet Movie Database
• The Mudlark at All Movie Guide