Silent Film: Bardelys the Magnificent(1926).

Bardelys the Magnificent (1926). A Romantic silent film directed by King Vidor. Cast: John Gilbert and Eleanor Boardman. The film is based on a novel by Rafael Sabatini. It was the second film of the 19 year old John Wayne, who had a small role.

King Louis XIII sends Chatellerault to romance Roxalanne de Lavedan, hoping to keep the girl's fortune within the family. When Chatellerault says that Roxalanne is unapproachable, Bardelys, bets his entire estate that he will win her heart in three months time.

While traveling, Bardelys finds a dying man along the way and is given some letters with the name Lesperon, whose identity he uses as his own. Finding that Lesperon is a traitor, he looks for shelter in the Lavedan estate and he begins courting her.

Video: The river scene in the willows is romantic and beautiful.



 St. Eustache, warns her that Lesperon is engaged to Mademoiselle Mersac and Bardelys is arrested for treason. Will the king arrive in time to save him from execution?

John Gilbert and Eleanor Boardman make a wonderful on screen couple. Loved the the opening duel scene, the river seen among the willows and the great closeups of Gilbert as he swings on tapestries. I tried to find John Wayne as an extra, with no luck...

Eleanor Boardman (August 19, 1898 – December 12, 1991), was originally on stage but, after temporarily losing her voice, she acted in silent films.

After, Rupert Hughes saw her riding a horse, he gave her a part in a film and she quickly became popular.

She was Goldwyn Pictures "New Face of 1922." After many supporting roles, she played the lead in, Souls for Sale(1923).

Her best known film was, The Crowd(1928), which is recognized as one of the best performances in American silent films.

Unable to make the transition from silent to talking pictures, Boardman retired in 1935.

Boardman was married to the film director King Vidor, with whom she had two daughters, Antonia (born 1927) and Belinda (born 1930). Their marriage lasted from 1926 until 1931. Fellow actors John Gilbert and Greta Garbo had planned a double wedding with them, but Garbo broke off the plans at the last minute. Boardman's second husband was Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast to whom she was married from 1940 until his death in 1968.

Boardman died in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 93.

Silent Film Star: Eleanor Boardman.

From the recently restored film directed by King Vidor and starring John Gilbert and Eleanor Boardman. This dreamy sequence, photographed by William Daniels.

Bardelys the Magnificent (1926) silent romantic drama film, based on a novel by Rafael Sabatini. It was the second film of the 19 year old John Wayne, who had a minor role.

THE CROWD (1928)- Eleanor Boardman.

The Crowd (1928) Silent Film. Cast: James Murray and Eleanor Boardman. Director: King Vidor.

John Sims always believed that he would some day become important. Unfortunately, John's father, died young, changing John's future and his plans. By twenty one, John is working as a clerk for the Atlas Insurance Co. One of Bert's friends, sets him up on a blind date with a girl named Mary. After spending the evening with Mary, John asks her to marry him. She agrees and they honeymoon at Niagara Falls. John promises Mary an beautiful home "when his ship comes in,". On Christmas Eve, Mary's deaf mother and her two well to do brothers , who do not think very highly of John, visit them for dinner. When John leaves to pick up some liquor, he comes home drunk, long after everyone has gone home. Mary forgives him, but by April they are arguing about everything.

However, they make up when Mary tells John that she is expecting a baby. In October, when a baby boy is born, John tells Mary that this is what he needed to make him try harder to become "somebody." Five years pass and a baby girl is born to the family. so far, John has received a small raise in pay and it is clear that he may never full fill his dreams. Mary tells him that she does not believe that his "ship" is ever going to come in. Will John ever get the break he needs to find a brighter future?

Even though I found the movie very sad. I could not help rooting for John even though he gets into one mess after another. Girlfriend/wife played by Eleanor Boardman stands by her man, I thought her performance was amazing. One of my favorite scenes is John's office, showing hundreds of desks in rows. You really get the feeling of being just another face in 'the crowd'.

Another thing that caught my eye was the background scenery. It is fascinating to see how people lived in the 1920's. Men wore suits and hats, ladies wore dresses. It was a different time. A time where manners were still important..

FUN FACTS:

King Vidor filmed many scenes in New York City streets using real crowds instead of extras, real buses and trains, and even real traffic cops. In one scene, a police officer is looking toward the camera, telling someone to "move along". In fact, he was actually telling Vidor and his film crew to move along.

King Vidor shot nine different endings before settling on the one used in the film, because MGM did not like films without a happy ending.

Eleanor Boardman, was named by Goldwyn Pictures as their "New Face of 1922,". After several wonderful supporting roles, she played the lead in Souls for Sale (1923). She appeared in less than forty films during her career, best known for her performance in Vidor's The Crowd(1928).
Video interview of KING VIDOR making the movie THE CROWD (1929.)