The Black Shield of Falworth

The Black Shield of Falworth is a 1954 film made by Universal Studios, produced by Robert Arthur and Melville Tucker and directed by Rudolph Maté. The screenplay was adapted by Oscar Brodney from Howard Pyle's novel Men of Iron and starred Tony Curtis as Myles Falworth, Janet Leigh as Lady Anne of Mackworth, David Farrar as the Earl of Alban, Herbert Marshall as the Earl of Mackworth, and Torin Thatcher as Sir James. The original music score was composed by Hans J. Salter.

The film was Universal International's first feature in CinemaScope. It opened in New York City on October 6, 1954 at the Loew's State Theater. It was the second of five films in which husband and wife Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh appeared together on screen during their marriage (1952-1961).

Plot

The film begins with a hunt on the estates of the Earl of Alban in which the participants are King Henry IV of England, the earl, the earl's friend Sir Robert and their retinues. The king must leave due to a seizure, but he insists that the hunt continue. Sir Robert tells Alban that should the king die Prince Hal would rule. Alban replies that Prince Hal would rule his wine bottles and his tailors, but the council would rule England. Sir Robert then remarks that Alban would rule the council.

Alban's party stops at a farm in Crosbey-Dale (pronounced, kris' bē-dāl), which is the home of Diccon Bowman and a brother and sister in young adulthood (Myles and Meg Falworth). Meg spots them as they come down the road...
Read More