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Title

The Prisoner of Zenda

Plot

The coronation of a new king is disrupted when the king's brother drugs him. A distant relative who closely resembles the king steps in to take his place at the coronation.

Episode

0639

Air Dates

  • First Run - April 22, 1977
  • Repeat - September 6, 1977
  • Repeat - April 22, 1979

Actors

Writer

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Rating

65
57     8


2 Responses to Episode 0639

The coronation of a new king is disrupted when the king's brother drugs him. A distant relative who closely resembles the king steps in to take his place at the coronation.

Jan Micheal C.

PRISONER OF ZENDA - Great episode. The common theme of many an opera - impersonation of someone else to deceive - played out on the public stage. It's amusing how this guise always works so well in theater; I've never heard of it working in real life. In the story, the distant cousin of a future king benevolently impersonates his relative on coronation day to cover for his cousin's sickness following an attempted assassination. Once king, he begins to realize both the benefits of the role (cherchez la femme) and also the dangers. The faux king demonstrates grace and charisma as he dodges the landmines of power, ultimately finding himself in a moral dilemma upon which hinges his eternal happiness. Adaptations on CBS Radio Mystery Theater never disappoint. This one even has a great sword fight! Highly recommended episode. I give PRISONER OF ZENDA 4 out of 5 stars. JUROR #4

JUROR # 4


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