Vidor""s natural and uncompromising film tells the episodic, poignant story of the working and domestic life of an average, commonplace man in ""the crowd"" - John - with his wife Mary (played exquisitely by the director""s real-life wife Eleanor Boardman), chronicling their ups and downs, including their meeting, courtship, marriage, and family life.Ballet impresario Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook), the ballet company""s director, was introduced with a mysterious entrance scene.He was magically offered a cup of drink and charmed with some tempting Turkish Delight candy.The childless Queen suggested that he could become Prince of Narnia one day - and "maybe even King," in exchange for bringing his three family members to her castle located between two hills in the distance." Kolp taunted him, called him a "clever ape," and brandished his pistol at Caesar: "And now, Ape City is about to lose its king.