The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)

57% of users liked it
(48 ratings)

Baroness Orczy, author of The Scarlet Pimpernel, came up with the story upon which The Emperor's Candlesticks was based. As in Pimpernel, the theme is international intrigue, but this time the setting is pre-World War One Europe and Russia rather than Revolutionary France. William Powell and Luise… More Baroness Orczy, author of The Scarlet Pimpernel, came up with the story upon which The Emperor's Candlesticks was based. As in Pimpernel, the theme is international intrigue, but this time the setting is pre-World War One Europe and Russia rather than Revolutionary France. William Powell and Luise Rainer are spies working for opposing empires (Russian and Austrian) who travel undetected amidst the Nobility while plotting their plots. As they waltz about various ballrooms dressed to the nines, they fall in love--resulting in wavering loyalties for both. Emperor's Candlesticks is stronger on decor than on plot, with the talented Luise Rainer once more ill-used by Hollywood. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: George Fitzmaurice
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jul 2, 1937 Wide

Critic Reviews

Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
In Rainer's case, The Emperor's Candlesticks seems unusually revealing, doffing the dropcloth from exactly the sort of peculiar, temporarily arresting artifact she was, guaranteed to inspire buyer's remorse.

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Featured Audience Ratings

cody f

If William Powell is in a film his charm automatically gives the film 3 stars. Enjoyable film about two spy's on opposite sides who have both hidden secret messages in some antique candlesticks. Powell and Rainer are great together, he is the one who taught her film acting years… More
If William Powell is in a film his charm automatically gives the film 3 stars. Enjoyable film about two spy's on opposite sides who have both hidden secret messages in some antique candlesticks. Powell and Rainer are great together, he is the one who taught her film acting years before.The movie gets a little goofy at the end and it's not one of Powell's best. All and all it's enjoyable and looks nice.

Cast

            William Powell as Baron Stephan Wolensky

            Luise Rainer as Countess Olga Mironova

            Robert Young as Grand Duke Peter

            Maureen O'Sullivan as Maria

            Frank Morgan as Col. Baron Suroff

            Henry Stephenson as Prince Johann

            Bernadene Hayes as Mitzi

            Donald Kirke as Antone

            Douglas Dumbrille as Korum

            Barnett Parker as Albert

            Frank Reicher as Pavloff

            Bert Roach as Porter

            Paul Porcasi as Santuzzi

            E.E. Clive as Auctioneer

            Emma Dunn as Housekeeper

            Frank Conroy as Col. Radoff

            Erville Alderson as Conductor

            Egon Brecher as Chief of Police

            Agostino Borgato
            
            Leonard Carey as Valet to Walensky

            Spencer Charters as Usher

            Davison Clark
            
            Harvey Clark as Conductor

            Vernon P. Downing
            
            Maude Turner Gordon as Concierge

            Ramsay Hill
            
            Olaf Hytten as Conspirator

            Carole Landis as Bit Part

            Mitchell Lewis as Plainclothesman

            Torben Meyer as Train Announcer

            Lionel Pape as Sugar Daddy

            Russell Powell as Coachman

            William Stack as Czar

            Cyril Thornton
            
            Roland Varno as Czar's Officer

            Theodore von Eltz as Adjutant

            Clarence H. Wilson as Stationmaster

            Ian Wolfe as Leon

            Rollo Lloyd as Jailer

            Bruce Mitchell
            
            Mariska Aldrich as Ugly Woman

            John Picorri as Italian Ambassador

            Clarice Sherry as Blonde

            King Baggot as Customs Official

            George Davis as Waiter
See full cast