Figure 1.--Here we see the Mudlark Wheeler finally meating Queen Victoria. The two men in back are John Brown and Benjamin Disreali.

An English waif tries to meet Queen Victoria, secluded in her castle since Prince Albert's death. The movie is set in London during 1875. The main character is a little boy named Wheeler. He is the Mudlark for which the film is titled. "Mudlarks" were the name given to poor London street children who survived by scavenging along the banks of the River Thames which flows through London. Wheeler is a little orphan who during his scavanging finds a beautiful cameo of Queen Victoria. He is almost killed in retrieving it. An older friend tells him that the Queen "is the mother of all England," Wheeler who does not have a mother of his own sets out on a quest to meet her. Queen Victoria profoundly affected by the death of her beloved Albert (1861) is still mounrming him. She dresses in black and continues to shut herself off from the world. Wheeler's manages to penetrate the Beefeaters who guard the palace, but has many close calls wondering around the vast Windsor Palace. He finds a state dinner being served. The Queen did not get on at all with the stiff Gladstone, but Disraeli was much more ingenious in his efforts to convince her to make public appearances. Victoria is played by Irene Dunne and Disreli is played by Alex Guinness. Wheeler is played by Andrew Ray.

Filmology

"Mudlark" was made in England by 20th Century Fox. The film was directed by Jean Negulesco. The film was chosen as the Royal Command Performance in 1950.

Cast

Queen Victoria is played by Irene Dunne. Sone believe she performed very well. Primeminidster Disreli is played by Alex Guinness. Wheeler is played by Andrew Ray. His performance rather steels the film. It instantly made him a leading British child star.

Setting

Plot

An English waif tries to meet Queen Victoria, secluded in her castle since Prince Albert's death. The movie is set in London during 1875. The main character is a little boy named Wheeler. He is the Mudlark for which the film is titled. "Mudlarks" were the name given to poor London street children who survived by scavenging along the banks of the River Thames which flows through London. Wheeler is a little orphan who during his scavanging finds a beautiful cameo of Queen Victoria. He is almost killed in retrieving it. An older friend tells him that the Queen "is the mother of all England," Wheeler who does not have a mother of his own sets out on a quest to meet her. Queen Victoria profoundly affected by the death of her beloved Albert (1861) is still mounrming him. She dresses in black and continues to shut herself off from the world. Wheeler's manages to penetrate the Beefeaters who guard the palace, but has many close calls wondering around the vast Windsor Palace. He finds a state dinner being served. The Queen did not get on at all with the stiff Gladstone, but Disraeli was much more ingenious in his efforts to convince her to make public appearances.

Costuming

Created: 5:51 AM 8/17/2004
Last updated: 3:39 AM 12/28/2007