The Prince and Betty

The Prince and Betty is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse. It was originally published in Ainslee's Magazine in the United States in January 1912, and, in a slightly different form, as a serial in Strand Magazine in the United Kingdom between February and April 1912. It was published in book form, in the United Kingdom by Mills & Boon on 1 May 1912.[1] A substantially different version, which incorporated the plot of Psmith, Journalist, was published in the US by W.J. Watt & Company, New York on 14 February 1912.

The Prince and Betty
First edition (US)
AuthorP. G. Wodehouse
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreComic novel
PublisherWatt (US)
Mills & Boon (UK)
Publication date
14 February 1912 (US)
1 May 1912 (UK)
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)

Plot introduction

The story tells of how unscrupulous millionaire Benjamin Scobell decides to build a casino on the small Mediterranean island of Mervo, dragging in the unwitting heir to the throne to help. Little does he know that his stepdaughter Betty has history with the young man John Maude, and his schemes lead to a rift between the newly reunited pair.

Characters
  • Benjamin Scobell, a wealthy and unscrupulous financier
    • Betty Silver, Scobell's attractive stepdaughter
  • John Maude, unwitting heir to a princedom, long admired by Betty

US novel version

The US novel version of The Prince and Betty combines the original story, transferred to a New York setting, with the plot of Psmith, Journalist, substantially rewritten to merge in the romance of John Maude (who becomes an American in this version) and Betty.

Adaptations

Film

A silent, black-and-white film adaptation, also titled The Prince and Betty, was made in 1919.[2]

Radio

A musical comedy adaptation of The Prince and Betty under the title Meet the Prince was first broadcast by the BBC in January 1934. The story was adapted and produced by John Watt and the music was by Kenneth Leslie-Smith, with lyrics by Henrik Ege and orchestral arrangements by Sydney Baynes. The cast included Esmond Knight as John Maude, Polly Walker as Della Morrison, Adele Dixon as Betty Silver, Ewart Scott as Lord Arthur Hayling, Sydney Keith as Mr Morrison, Bernard Ansell as Edwin Crump, Davy Burnaby as Benjamin Scobel, Floy Penrhyn as Marian Scobel, and C. Denier Warren as General Poineau.

It was broadcast in the BBC Regional Programme on 1 January 1934[3] and repeated the next day in the BBC National Programme.[4] A second production was broadcast on 28 September 1936 in the National Programme and repeated the following day in the Regional Programme.

References
  1. McIlvaine, E., Sherby, L.S. and Heineman, J.H. (1990) P.G. Wodehouse: A comprehensive bibliography and checklist. New York: James H. Heineman, p. 24. ISBN 087008125X
  2. Taves, Brian (2006). P. G. Wodehouse and Hollywood: Screenwriting, Satires and Adaptations. London: McFarland & Company. p. 151. ISBN 978-0786422883.
  3. "'Meet the Prince' (Regional Programme London)". BBC Genome. BBC. 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  4. "'Meet the Prince' (National Programme Daventry)". BBC Genome. BBC. 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.


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