An orphan boy, played by Andrew Ray, finds a cameo (or brooch) of his Queen's picture in the banks of the river, and, when told she is the mother of England, he vows to meet her. He likes her face. He likes what he sees. He likes how he feels when he looks at it. The time in England is that of Queen Victoria and here she is played by a barely recognized Irene Dunne, as she caked with makeup. The young boy gets past the guards and by way of an accident he manages to get inside the castle, hiding under a dining room table. He is eventually found, but not before they think they've got an assassin on the grounds, fearing for the Queen's life. All he wants, he says, is to meet her ladyship. The boy runs into John Brown, played by Finlay Currie, who promises to get him to her, but nothing is that easy. Alec Guinness gives a very understated performance as statesman Benjamin Disraeli, who advises Queen Victoria. And, Irene Dunne is nothing but exquisite as the Queen, despite the fact the Queen doesn't act especially kind or motherly; she was known for her years in seclusion, letting no one within her small circle of confidants. Only John Moore and Disraeli were her most trusted friends. Some say John Moore was closer than that. But this film does not dwell on that at all, instead centering on the waif who set his sights on his Queen Mother so that he can see what one looks like. This was loosely based on true events. But, in that case, I don't think the young lad made it in the revered walls. The young actor, Andrew Ray, is mesmerizing and provides us with the film's heart and humor. Of course, the highlight of the film is when he finally does get to meet his Queen and, while the scenes may not be emotional as one would like, they do provide Irene Dunne with a grand way to wrap up her long career in film. Unfortunately, she ended her career with a comedy that has not been seen anywhere in years, "It Grows on Trees." But this would have a great last film for such a great actress who was never truly appreciated by the Academy, losing the Oscar five times to fellow actresses. "The Mudlark" is one of those films that once it's over, you say "Now that was good." A truly underrated and forgotten movie experience is "The Mudlark."
Review of The Mudlark
