Movie Monday Review: The Black Shield of Falworth
- The Daily Sentiment
- Sep 28, 2020
- 6 min read
The Black Shield of Falworth (1954)
Starring: Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Barbara Rush, Torin Thatcher, David Farrar, Craig Hill, Rhys Williams, Patrick O’Neal, Herbert Marshall, Dan O’Herlihy, and Ian Keith.
Summary
Brother and sister, Myles (Tony Curtis) and Meg (Barbara Rush) live a lowly life on a farm with their companion and guardian, Diccon Bowman (Rhys Williams). They know nothing of who their father was, and further, it seems to be a great secret. Nevertheless, where knowledge is lacking, spirit makes up for it. Myles is never willing to back down to someone who would insult him or try to harm his sister. Diccon Bowman knows, however, what their heritage is and that it is the heritage of a Knight. One day, after an altercation that Myles has with Gilbert, the Earl of Alban (David Farrar), one of the most powerful Knights in the country, Diccon Bowman decides to tell the two their heritage, but not the actual name of their father. The Knight, Sir Falworth, was their father and he was falsely accused by none other than the Earl of Alban and his family, leaving him condemned, and every other male in the family as well. Therefore, the Falworth ring has been hidden and the children kept in secret.
Diccon Bowman says it is time that Myles become the Knight that his father was and to clear his father’s name. Using the connection of an old friend of Sir Falworth’s, the Earl of Mackworth (Herbert Marshall), Myles and Meg gain entrance into a position amongst his castle training grounds. Myles will train to become a page, as he doesn’t seem to have a name to gain him the ranking of Knight. Meg will begin training as a lady-in-waiting.
Even before arriving, luck seems not to be on the side of Myles. A lady comes tearing down the road before them, screaming for assistance, as she is being chased by a man. Myles, chivalrous as ever, steps in to save her. Unknowingly, fighting with the Earl of Alban’s younger and impetuous brother, Walter Blunt (Patrick O’Neal). He is in love with Lady Anne (Janet Leigh), daughter of the Earl of Mackworth, who sees Walter as more of something to play with rather than marry. Walter cannot stand the audacity of Myles to interfere in their game and it takes Lady Anne to calm the two.
Upon arrival at the castle, Myles learns that Walter is in training to become a Knight, and is the top amongst the trainees. Being presented to the Earl of Mackworth, Myles and Meg are accepted based on their father’s friendship, however, it is to be kept secret. Francis Gasgoyne (Craig Hill) helps Myles get settled, as he is one of the trainees and understands Myles’ plight. He warns Myles to be cautious and not to irritate Walter or the other upper level Knights-in-training.
Meg is mortified that she is being forced to succumb to wearing such ugly clothes as the older ladies-in-waiting wear. Throwing a fit, she is soon discovered by Lady Anne, who wants a companion and asks her to join her. Soon, they become friends, Meg acting as her lady-in-waiting. Lady Anne sets out to teach Meg how to “properly” act among the men: not to seem too interested, even when you are.
The trainer of the Knights, the best in ability, is the one-eyed Sir James (Torin Thatcher). He’s tough, Francis warns Myles, but the best. Training begins and Myles is singled out often, making his life as a trainee difficult, nevertheless, he will not give up.
Myles and Meg have their father’s family ring and they aim to search for a clue to who he is and was in the Earl of Mackworth’s book of knightly crests. Unable to get any information, Lady Anne catches Myles and Meg looking and to save them death, tears the Falworth crest out of the book. The search continues.
Myles has taken a fancy to Lady Anne and realizes that Francis has taken a fancy to his sister, Meg. The four of them work it out so that Myles and Meg can sneak into the palace garden each afternoon when the ladies are alone. Soon, their relationship blossoms, but Lady Anne is worried because she fears she will be forced to marry Walter Blunt.
The Earl of Mackworth knows that something must be done to clear his old friend’s name. Working with Sir James, he insists that training begin with Myles to make him a full-fledged Knight. Sir James, believing that Myles has no name or right to be Knight, doesn’t understand, but does know that Myles has spirit.
Meanwhile, Prince Hal (Dan O’Herlihy), son of the great King Henry IV (Ian Keith), knows that all is not right in the kingdom. He wants to get to the bottom of it all and works with the Earl of Mackworth to figure it out. Knowing that the Earl of Alban has much power over his father, the King, Prince Hal acts the drunk in order to not seem a threat. When he discovers the truth about Myles, he knows he can be of use to their cause. However, they know he must be a Knight to do any good. Knowing his real name, they believe they can clear the Falworth name and stop the Alban family from overthrowing the crown.
Intense training to become a Knight begins for Myles, under Sir James, who teaches him the importance of not being cocky. Very soon, Myles is one of the best in training. Never neglecting Lady Anne, it becomes apparent that she is worried that they won’t be able to marry due to his not being a Knight. One day, Myles and Francis are caught visiting the ladies and the Earl of Mackworth is greatly displeased outwardly. When Walter Blunt discovers what is going on, he goes to his brother to insist on his marriage to Lady Anne.
When a challenge is presented, the Earl of Alban suggests their best fighting Knight go against someone worthy in the training school. The Earl of Mackworth, along with Sir James, convince the king that Myles should go against him. When the King learns that he’s not a Knight, the Earl of Mackworth fixes it so that the king can knight him immediately. In the process, everyone must know the name of this unknown Myles. The Earl of Mackworth has made a shield with the Falworth crest on it and presents it before the court. Suddenly, everyone, including Myles, know who he is. An outcry against the Earl of Mackworth is immediately brought up and Myles is to be taken away.
Myles is now Sir Myles, however, and he insists that he has the right to fight for his family name. The king agrees that a trial by joust will decide if Sir Myles Falworth is guilty, Myles chooses Francis as his second.
He is to joust against the man who convicted his father and took his lands – Gilbert, the Earl of Alban. The fight is quite the spectacle, but Francis is just overjoyed that his dear friend Myles is doing well! Soon, Prince Hal realizes that this is all a trap, that the Earl of Alban plans to take over the thrown then and there and has men ready to assassinate the king. Prince Hal pulls the King out, saving his life, and fighting ensues. Prince Hal proves that he is more the man than Gilbert ever thought he was. Sir Myles has his day and his name is returned to the proud when he defeats Gilbert in battle. Help comes and the day is won!
The king pardons the name of Falworth and gives Lady Anne in marriage to Sir Myles Falworth. However, that cannot be the end, for Myles knows that Francis indeed loves the fair Meg. They too are granted the permission to marry and the four of them live happily ever after!
Review
A unique knights and castles story that has the perfect happy ending! The fun and warm relationship between Francis and Myles feels good, as you watch them band together to help each other. Willing to overcome any obstacle, Myles represents the hard-working and persevering young man willing to fight for justice. A good role-model for young men who are seeking the chivalrous road.
Torin Thatcher does a wonderful job of playing Sir James, creating a dynamic character. One is not sure whether he is a villain or one of the good guys, right at first. His faith in Myles and the leadership he shows among the men gives one confidence that there is good in the story.
The story is filled with twists and turns, making for an exciting story. Not too much romance, but enough to fulfill the romantic at heart.
Enjoy this show and have a laugh at the strong New York accent from Tony Curtis in a knights and castles show! ;)
Ellen Nolan
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