Overview

A bassist shows up early for the betrothal ball of a beautiful princess, and whiles away the time having a dip in the river. The princess is doing the same, unbeknownst to the bass player, but when someone steals their clothes, the bass player helps the princess to preserve her dignity by transporting her back to the castle in his bass case, and along the way they discover they have feelings for each other. Based on a short story by Anton Chekhov.

Top Cast

John Cleese

Smychkov

Connie Booth

Princess Costanza

Graham Crowden

Count Alexei

Freddie Jones

Maestro Lakeyich

Jonathan Lynn

Leader of the Orchestra

Andrew Sachs

Musician Zhuchkov

D

Desmond Jones

Musician Razmakhaikin

D

Dennis Ramsden

Prince Bibulov

J

John Moffatt

Majordomo

T

Terry Nelson

Thief

K

Kathie O'Donoghue

Princess's maid

June Whitfield

Prince Bibulov's wife