The 9 Jun 1926 Var announced that John Barrymore's next feature would be an original story based on the life of Francois Villon. The yet-to-be-titled film was reportedly his first to be released by United Artists Corp. Five days later, the 14 Jun 1926 FD indicated that Francois Villon was the chosen title, and that Vilma Banky was in consideration to co-star, but she did not remain with the project.
       According to the 17 Jun 1926 FD, Barrymore, director Alan Crosland, and writer Paul Bern had travelled to Honolulu, HI, to prepare the script.
       The 11 Aug 1926 Var reported an estimated $1 million budget to accommodate the expensive sets and costumes.
       On 20 Aug 1926, FD announced a title change to The Vagabond Prince, and noted that filming would take place at the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios in Hollywood, CA.
       The 11 Sep 1926 Moving Picture World stated that the script was nearly completed, and listed Marceline Day as Barrymore's female lead. Otto Matieson was cast in the role of "Louix XI," but was later recast as "Olivier, the king's barber." Bryan Foy was hired to contribute "comedy angles into the story," and Gordon Hollingshead was signed to assist Crosland. The 12 Nov 1926 Film Mercury added Betty Blair to the cast.
       According to the 24 Sep 1926 FD, principal photography was underway, and German actor Conrad Veidt was en route to Hollywood to portray Louix XI in the picture.
       On 4 Oct 1926, FD noted another title change to The Beloved Rogue.
       The 23 Nov 1926 FD reported that filming was nearly finished, and the premiere was planned to take place at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Three days later, Film Mercury announced that principal photography had completed earlier that week, and the picture was currently in the cutting room. A Feb 1927 release date was anticipated, and the picture was retitled, yet again, to The Ragged Lover. However, by 18 Dec 1926, Moving Picture World noted that the title had been reverted back to The Beloved Rogue.
       According to the 25 Feb 1927 FD, the picture was scheduled to premiere at the Mark Strand Theatre in New York City on 12 Mar 1927. The 2 Mar 1927 issue reported that the Hollywood opening was set for the Criterion Theatre, following the run of George Fitzmaurice's The Night of Love (1927, see entry).
       Reviews in the 16 Mar 1927 Var and the 20 Mar 1927 FD praised the lavish sets; however, while FD hailed Barrymore's performance, Var complained that the picture was "astonishingly low average," noting the "extreme length" and the lack of glamor in the "disheveled" hero.
       The Beloved Rogue was released on a John Barrymore DVD collection in 2009.