Royal Flush

Though Queen Victoria was certainly not a party girl, the December release of The Young Victoria, with Emily Blunt as the young queen, has us kiki-ing, carrying on and wanting to share with you some other crowned head-related cinematic cuteness. Here are our favorite, underrated monarchical movies.

The Lost Prince This PBS film tells the true story of Prince John, the epileptic son of King George V and Queen Mary. Miranda Richardson rules as Queen Mary (Richardson plays Queen Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent, in The Young Victoria) and this flick sees appearances by the Tsar and Empress of Russia, the little Grand Duchesses and the poo-stinky Kaiser Wilhelm. It's a smorgasbord for Euro royalty fans.

Nicholas and Alexandra Irene Worth is a treat as the Dowager Empress, and although there are some historical inaccuracies, it's a lavish spectacle of the last Russian royal family, which was slaughtered by the Bolsheviks.

Rasputin and the Empress This 1932 stinker is historically important for two reasons. First off, three Barrymores (Ethel, John and Lionel) appear in this story of Rasputin and his hold over Empress Alexandra. Secondly, Prince Yusupov sued MGM after the film claimed Rasputin slept with his wife, Irina, Alexandra's niece. The Prince won. Movie viewers lost.

Mayerling Ava Gardner is Empress Elisabeth and Catherine Deneuve is Marie Vetsera, who was killed by her lover Crown Prince Rudolf who then killed himself. It's magic.

Ludwig Visconti's lush and lavish production tells the tale of mad King Ludwig, played by the yummy Helmut Berger. The irresistible Romy Schneider is his gorgeous cousin Elisabeth of Austria. Trevor Howard and Silvana Mangano round out the glamorous international cast.