40 minutes
1/1/1974
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.
John Cleese
as Smychkov
Connie Booth
as Princess Costanza
Graham Crowden
as Count Alexei
Freddie Jones
as Maestro Lakeyich
Jonathan Lynn
as Leader of the Orchestra
Andrew Sachs
as Musician Zhuchkov
Desmond Jones
as Musician Razmakhaikin
Dennis Ramsden
as Prince Bibulov
John Moffatt
as Majordomo
Terry Nelson
as Thief
Kathie O'Donoghue
as Princess's maid
June Whitfield
as Prince Bibulov's wife