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.
Queen Christina (1933). Pre-code historical/ drama. Director: Rouben Mamoulian.The film was written by H. M. Harwood and Salka Viertel with dialogue by S. N. Behrman, based on a story by Salka Viertel and Margaret P. Levino. Cast: Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Ian Keith and Lewis Stone. The movie is very loosely based on the life of the 17th century Queen Christina of Sweden, who, in the film, falls in love during her reign but has to deal with the political realities of her society. It was billed as Garbo's return to cinema after an eighteen-month hiatus.
In 1632, after her father, King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, is killed on the battlefield, six-year-old Christina raised as a boy is crowned "king" of Sweden . Then promises to her court, that Sweden will fight until it wins the war.
Many years later, the now-grown Christina, who dresses in men's clothing, meets with her council and states for the good of the country, they must find peace. Christina then argues with Oxenstierna about marrying her Swedish-born cousin, Prince Palatine Charles Gustavus. Not wanting to marry a man she does not love, Christina rejects Oxenstierna's demands.
To escape Christina, goes on a hunting trip with her servant Aage. While riding, Christina comes across the path of a coach filled with Spaniards, which have gotten stuck in a ditch. Because she is dressed as a man, Christina is not recognized and is treated as a male servant by Don Antonio de la Prada. Later, Christina and Aage seek shelter at the Inn and once again meet Antonio and his men.
Antonio apologizes when he learns that Christina is a gentleman of means and engages him/her, in conversation. Christina impresses Antonio, after which insists that he take her to his room, the last room in the inn. After a polite argument, the couple decide to share the room. While Antonio undresses, Christina becomes uncomfortable, but finally reveals that she is a woman by removing her jacket. Surprised, Antonio takes Christina in his arms. For the next several days, Christina and Antonio, who is still unaware of her royal identity, fall in love and promise their lasting devotion to each other. Needing to accomplish his mission, Antonio leaves the inn, but arranges to meet with Christina in Stockholm.
Back at the palace, Christina is confronted by Magnus, who questions her about her disappearance. Christina's only care, is her reunion with Antonio and dresses up in her most beautiful gown to greet him. When Antonio is introduced to Christina, he is surprised but maintains his composure.
Later in private Antonio, accuses her for playing with his affections and presents to her a proposal of marriage. Christina ignores her royal duties to spend time with Antonio. Jealous, Magnus hires two men to spread rumors about the queen's scandalous behavior, and one night in the Palace, Christina is met by an angry mob.
After calming the crowd, Christina confronts Magnus, where he threatens to have Antonio killed. For his protection, Christina orders Antonio back to Spain, unaware that the Spaniard has challenged Magnus to a duel. Christina calls together her court, announces that she is stepping down from the throne. While Christina says good- by to her heartbroken court, Antonio and Magnus engage in their sword fight. What will Christina find when she reaches Antonio's ship?
Fun Fact:
Since John Gilbert was becoming less popular as a leading man, Greta Garbo was doing him a big favor by requesting him as the male lead. Unfortunately, the film did not help to re-establish Gilbert, and soon after he dropped out of pictures altogether.
For me, this is a beautiful and haunting film. John Gilbert and Greta Garbo have wonderful on screen chemistry. My favorite scene in the movie, is when she is enjoying herself as a woman.
Muriel Evans (July 20, 1910 – October 26, 2000) Her father died when she was only two months old, forcing her mother to move to California to find work, where Evans' mother took a job as a maid at First National Studios.
She spent her afternoons on film sets and was soon noticed by a studio executive. The executive introduced her to the director Robert Z. Leonard, who gave her a small role opposite Corinne Griffith in the 1926 film, Mademoiselle Modiste. She continued attending classes at Hollywood High School and landing bit parts in stock theater productions and silent films.
In 1929, Evans co-starred in the silent, comedic short films, Good Night Nurse and Joyland, starring Lupino Lane. Shortly after completing Joyland, Evans put her acting career on hold to finish school.
Later that year, she married Michael Cudahy, the wealthy scion of a meatpacking family. The couple traveled the world and settled in Europe. In 1931, Evans decided to pursue the film career she had given up and left her husband in Paris. Evans returned to Hollywood, signed a contract at MGM and quickly began making films again. She and Cudahy divorced in 1932.
Later that year, Evans starred in six films, most notably, Young Ironsides with Charley Chase and Pack Up Your Troubles with Laurel and Hardy. She would go on to star in eight more shorts with Chase before his death in 1940.
She made a smooth transition from silent pictures to talkies, and throughout the 1930s, Evans continued to work steadily. She appeared in Frank Capra's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Manhattan Melodrama with Clark Gable and William Powell, and The Prizefighter and the Lady with Myrna Loy.
By the mid 1930s, Evans also began co-starring in popular westerns alongside Tom Mix, John Wayne and Tex Ritter. She also starred in three Hopalong Cassidy films opposite William Boyd, and did seven westerns with Buck Jones.Muriel Evans with James Ellison in the 1936 film Three on the Trail
In 1936, Evans married a theatrical agent, Marshall R. Worchester.
By age 30, she retired from acting. One of her last film appearances came in 1946, in the Pete Smith short, Studio Visit. Soon after retiring, Evans and her husband settled in Washington, D.C. Over the next decade, she starred in four radio shows and in the television show Hollywood Reporter.
In 1951, the couple moved back to Hollywood, although Evans never resumed her acting career. Eventually, the couple bought property in Tarzana, California, where Evans dabbled in real estate.
After the death of her husband in 1971, Evans began work as a volunteer nurse at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills not far from her home.
After a stroke in 1994, she became a resident within the complex and often dined with fellow actors with whom she had once worked, including Anita Garvin. In 1999, Evans made her last film appearance in a 2000 documentary, I Used to Be in Pictures, in which she was one of many former actors who recalled their experiences in the film work.
Underwater!(1955). Adventure. Directed by John Sturges. Cast: Jane Russell, Gilbert Roland, and Richard Egan.
The story begins when, while diving Johnny Grant, comes across a ship wreck and reports back to his business partner, Dominic Casada. They go back to the ship wreck sight and begin collecting artifacts they find near the ship. When they surface, they are greeted by shark hunter Rico Arrera, who is curious about what they are doing.
Later, Johnny and Dominic show Johnny's wife Theresa, their treasures, which date back to the early seventeenth century. Theresa at first, does not agree with their plan to sell their boat, in order to raise money they need for a sunken treasure expedition.
Dominic, stops by the yacht of an American millionaire where he finds Gloria Warner, the millionaire's secretary abandoned on the boat, Dominic convinces her to become his partner.
Later at a nightclub, Gloria and Dominic run into Johnny and Theresa, who tell them that they sold their boat to finance the expedition.The crew are joined on the yacht by Father Cannon, a priest and historian. Once at sea, Father Cannon tells Dominic, that one of the treasures could only have come from a big ship that fled Panama, with a gold statue of the Madonna, which sank during a hurricane.
During Johnny and Theresa's dive the next day they find a second ship, a man o' war. When they get back, the group discusses the location of the treasure ship, where they have their first encounter with pirates who also have their eyes on treasure.
This was the last picture that Howard Hughes, would produce with Jane Russell. In 1955, scuba diving were of great interest to the public. There is some exciting scenes which makes this a great Classic Film.
If you enjoy adventure movies, this movie is for you.. with it's breath-taking Caribbean scenery. The treasure hunters all travel out at sea to recover the sunken treasures an journey of a life time.
Fun Facts:
Partially filmed on location in Mexico and Hawaii, Underwater! was completed in a newly-constructed underwater tank in an RKO Radio sound stage. It was the first RKO film released in Superscope.
For its world premiere, the film was projected on a submerged movie screen at Silver Springs, Florida, and the invited guests were encouraged to don aqualungs and bathing suits so that they could watch the picture while swimming.
The song "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" featured in the film became a major hit.
At a promotional event for the movie, a young Jayne Mansfield was one of several swimmers participating in a underwater skit when the top of her bathing suit came off, which obviously drew attention to her, and not the movie. It is believed that she let this happen on purpose for the free publicity.
Lori Nelson(born August 15, 1933). Many of her roles were mostly in 1950's "B"-movies. She landed her first role as Marjie Baile in the film, Bend of the River(1952).
She performed in the film, The Naked Monster.
She costarred with Barbara Eden in the series, How to Marry a Millionaire (1957–1959).
She is also remembered in the role as Mara, the Mayor's daughter, opposite Van Johnson, in the 1957 made-for-TV musical film, The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
“Desert Nights” (1929) is a silent drama starring John Gilbert, Ernest Torrence, and Mary Nolan. Directed by William Nigh, this film is about a hostage’s psychological battle against his captors and the elements. Hugh Rand, played by John Gilbert, is a manager at the Crown Diamond Mines in Cape Town, South Africa. One day a Lord Steve Stonehill, played by Ernest Torrence, and a Lady Diana Stonehill, played by Mary Nolan, show up on invitation for hunting with Hugh. Unfortunately, it turns out that they are a pair of jewel thieves pretending to be the expected Lord Steve and Lady Diana Stonehill. After the two thieves hold up the main office of the mine and steal a fortune in uncut diamonds, they take Hugh as hostage to make an escape across the desert. With the burning sun of the Kalahari Desert and scarcely a drop of water, will the trio be able to survive or perish?
In early May of 1929, reviewers addressed the quality of John Gilbert’s final silent film, “Desert Nights.” “No Dialogue,” screamed a headline beneath the film’s title, and the opening words of the review state clearly that without the benefit of dialogue, “Desert Nights” leans heavily on its star and cast. Technology had already rendered a death blow to Gilbert’s career, and the film was not accepted on its own terms even though it is actually quite an entertaining story with great performances by the three leads. Gilbert’s charisma is evident throughout the film. I particularly liked the scenes where Gilbert’s character is having fun tormenting the two thieves by constantly reminding them that death is near. Ernest Torrence is perfect as the villain with a touch of humor. Mary Nolan looks beautiful and does display great chemistry with Gilbert. The two of them heat up the screen early on in a simple dinner scene where the two begin to know each other. The hot sexuality throughout the film between Gilbert and Nolan offers some nice tension. As a matter of fact, “Desert Nights” is pretty much Pre-Code risqué with its sweat, torn clothes, unbuttoned blouses and semi-nudity. One of my favorite scenes is when Gilbert is tied up and being threatened by Torrence. What is interesting about it is that Gilbert plays his game with equal viciousness and deceit. A gritty, action drama, “Desert Nights” is worth watching just for John Gilbert’s top notch performance.
Once one of the most popular stars of the 1920’s, John Gilbert carries the dubious distinction of being the official poster boy for the “ruined by sound” movie star. Gilbert has been written about disparagingly in the modern era by critics who find him too excessive in his emoting. There is no doubt that he acts in the silent tradition, but one has to consider him in the context of his times. Gilbert was best at conveying emotion directly through physical behavior and action. Sound was a different world and it called for changes in acting. Gilbert’s sound debut seemed to go well enough. However, his first two features, “His Glorious Night” (1929) and “Redemption” (1930), were dated in content and received poor reviews. It is clear that Gilbert was being given the kind of material he handled so well in the silent years, but that the new technology had made it seemed old-fashioned. What really happened to Gilbert’s career is still unclear. Various reasons for his drop from the very top in 1927 to his death in 1936 have been put forth over the years. There is the “victim of sound” theory by which his voice does not suit his image or did not record well with the initial crude equipment. There is his bad luck at having his first two releases fail at the box office. There is also his unpleasant relationship with the powerful head of MGM, Louis B. Mayer, who is alleged to have sabotaged him, preventing him from obtaining suitable sound roles and assigning him to several low-budget projects. Finally, there is Gilbert’s own personality. He was often rumored to be temperamental and difficult to work with, and he was said to be insecure and addicted to alcohol. Out of all these theories, I think it was partly Mayer’s fault for assigning Gilbert to several low-budget projects and the advent of sound films, but not because he had a bad voice. Sound killed him because it diminished his ability to convey a man in love with fire and passion. Gilbert’s “great lover” acting style through his face and eyes seemed outdated in sound films. He had to relearn and to adjust his silent film persona, but the public didn’t give him the time in which to do it. Ironically, Gilbert’s films like “The Big Parade” (1925), “The Merry Widow” (1925) and “Flesh and the Devil” (1926) are the most revived and best known of all silent films together with the great comedies, some of Lon Chaney’s work, and the major Griffith films.
It is interesting to note that Mary Nolan became a star showgirl in the Ziegfeld Follies. It was there where she became involved with a married Ziegfeld comedian, Frank Tinney, stirring up a major sex scandal. Forced to flee to Germany to avoid the negative attention, she made six films there over the next two years for a number of production companies billed as Imogene Robertson, her birth name. Early in 1928, Mary signed a long-term contract with Universal, where she made seven films through 1930, along with another five on loan-out. In 1932, at the age of twenty-seven, Mary Nolan’s career was over. She was also addicted to morphine. By the late 1930’s, her looks were gone. When she died on November 12, 1948, at the age of forty-two, of liver disease, she weighed only seventy pounds.
I have already posted a profile post on the handsome John Gilbert.((Sigh)). Please click his name on the tag line located at the bottom of this post, to read Noir and Chick Flicks collection of John Gilbert info.
Queen Christina (1933). Pre-code historical/ drama. Director: Rouben Mamoulian.The film was written by H. M. Harwood and Salka Viertel with dialogue by S. N. Behrman, based on a story by Salka Viertel and Margaret P. Levino. Cast: Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Ian Keith and Lewis Stone. The movie is very loosely based on the life of the 17th century Queen Christina of Sweden, who, in the film, falls in love during her reign but has to deal with the political realities of her society. It was billed as Garbo's return to cinema after an eighteen-month hiatus.
In 1632, after her father, King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, is killed on the battlefield, six-year-old Christina raised as a boy is crowned "king" of Sweden . And then promises to her court, that Sweden will fight until it wins the war.
Many years later, the now-grown Christina, who dresses in men's clothing, meets with her council and states for the good of the country, they must find peace. Christina then argues with Oxenstierna about marrying her Swedish-born cousin, Prince Palatine Charles Gustavus. Not wanting to marry a man she does not love, Christina rejects Oxenstierna's demands. To escape Christina, goes on a hunting trip with her servant Aage.
While riding, Christina comes across the path of a coach filled with Spaniards, which have gotten stuck in a ditch. Because she is dressed as a man, Christina is not recognized and is treated as a male servant by Don Antonio de la Prada.
Later, Christina and Aage seek shelter at the Inn and once again meet Antonio and his men. Antonio apologizes when he learns that Christina is a gentleman of means and engages him/her, in conversation. Christina impresses Antonio, after which insists that he take her to his room, the last room in the inn.
After a polite argument, the couple decide to share the room. While Antonio undresses, Christina becomes uncomfortable, but finally reveals that she is a woman by removing her jacket. Surprised, Antonio takes Christina in his arms.
For the next several days, Christina and Antonio, who is still unaware of her royal identity, fall in love and promise their lasting devotion to each other. Needing to accomplish his mission, Antonio leaves the inn, but arranges to meet with Christina in Stockholm.
Back at the palace, Christina is confronted by Magnus, who questions her about her disappearance. Christina's only care, is her reunion with Antonio and dresses up in her most beautiful gown to greet him. When Antonio is introduced to Christina, he is surprised but maintains his composure.
Later in private Antonio, accuses her for playing with his affections and presents to her a proposal of marriage. Christina ignores her royal duties to spend time with Antonio. Jealous, Magnus hires two men to spread rumors about the queen's scandalous behavior, and one night in the Palace, Christina is met by an angry mob.
After calming the crowd, Christina confronts Magnus, where he threatens to have Antonio killed. For his protection, Christina orders Antonio back to Spain, unaware that the Spaniard has challenged Magnus to a duel. Christina calls together her court, announces that she is stepping down from the throne. While Christina says good by to her heartbroken court, Antonio and Magnus engage in their sword fight. What will Christina find when she reaches Antonio's ship?
Fun Fact:
Since John Gilbert was becoming less popular as a leading man, Greta Garbo was doing him a big favor by requesting him as the male lead. Unfortunately, the film did not help to re-establish Gilbert, and soon after he dropped out of pictures altogether.
I just watched Queen Christina for the first time. For me, it is a beautiful and haunting film. John Gilbert and Greta Garbo had wonderful on screen chemistry. My favorite scene in the movie, is when she is enjoying herself as a woman.
John Gilbert, actor and a major star of the silent film era. Known as "the great lover", he rivaled even Rudolph Valentino as a box office draw. Though he was unsuccessful in making the transition to talkies, his decline as a star in fact had to do with studio politics and money and not the sound of his screen voice.
He first found work as an extra with the Thomas Ince Studios, and soon became a favorite of Maurice Tourneur, who hired him to write and direct several pictures. He quickly began building his career as an actor in films as Heart o' the Hills with Mary Pickford. In 1921, Gilbert signed a contract with Fox Film Corporation, where he was cast as a romantic leading man. Some of his films for Fox include Monte Cristo, an adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo; St. Elmo, an adaptation of book The Wolf Man, the story of a man who believes he murdered his fiance's brother while drunk.
In 1924, he moved to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he became a star in films, His Hour directed by King Vidor, He Who Gets Slapped (1924), co-starring Lon Chaney, Sr. and Norma Shearer, and directed by Victor Sjöström; and The Merry Widow (1925) directed by Erich von Stroheim and co-starring Mae Murray. In 1925, Gilbert was once again directed by Vidor in, The Big Parade, which became the second highest grossing silent film. His performance in this film made him a major star. The following year, Vidor reunited Gilbert with two of his co-stars, Renée Adorée and Karl Dane, for the film La Bohème which also starred Lillian Gish.
In 1926, Gilbert made Flesh and the Devil, his first film with Greta Garbo. They soon began a relationship. Gilbert planned to marry her, but Garbo changed her mind and never showed up for the ceremony. Despite their rocky off-screen relationship, they continued to generate box-office revenue for the studio, and MGM paired them in two more silents Love (1927), a modern adaptation of Anna Karenina, and A Woman of Affairs (1928). The former film was advertised by MGM as "Garbo and Gilbert in Love."
Fun Fact:
Pictured on one of ten 29¢ US commemorative postage stamps celebrating stars of the silent screen, issued 27 April 1994. Designed by caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, this set of stamps also honored Rudolph Valentino, Clara Bow, Charles Chaplin, Lon Chaney, Zasu Pitts, Harold Lloyd, Theda Bara, Buster Keaton, and the Keystone Kops.
A Woman of Affairs (1928). Drama. Director: Clarence Brown. Cast: Greta Garbo, John Gilbet, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Lewis Stone. The film was based on a 1924 play by Michael Arlen, The Green Hat. Later renamed, A Woman of Affairs. This was Greta Garbo's 14th film, the 7th of her Hollywood career and her 6th silent movie. It was also her 3rd collaboration with John Gilbert, after Flesh and the Devil (1926) and Love (1927), her 2nd film with Clarence Brown and was the 1st of seven collaborations between Garbo and Lewis Stone. In 1934, MGM made a remake of the film starring Constance Bennett, titled Outcast Lady.
Diana Merrick, falls in love with aristocratic Neville Holderness, but respecting his fathers wishes they do not marry. Heartbroken and living a reckless life, Diana marries her brother's friend, David Furness, unaware that he is a thief. On their honeymoon, learning that the police are after him, David jumps out a window and kills himself.
Diana makes it her mission to repay the victims of her husband. After a few years she returns to England, to find her brother has died from alcoholism. When Neville finds Diana, she turns him away, because he is still influenced by his father and he is now married. She is heartbroken, never to recover.
One of my favorite scenes, is when Diana is wearing a special ring on her finger, sitting on the couch with Neville, Diana tells him, "I would only take it off for the man I love." then you see her hand just as the ring slowly slips off her finger. The costumes and hairstyles are wonderful and Garbo looked amazing.
Dorothy Sebastian (April 26, 1903 – April 8, 1957). Her first contact in Hollywood was Robert Kane, who gave her a film test at United Studios. She performed in George White's Scandals with Joan Crawford and Anita Page for a popular series of MGM romantic dramas: Our Dancing Daughters (1928) and Our Blushing Brides (1930). Sebastian also performed in 1929's Spite Marriage, cast opposite her then-lover Buster Keaton.
I'm so disappointed that I missed The Merry Widow on TCM. I thought I would go ahead and post all the info I found. If you did happen to catch it, please feel free to post a movie review.
The Merry Widow (1925). Silent/ romantic/ drama /black comedy. Director and written by Erich von Stroheim. Cast: Mae Murray, John Gilbert and Roy D'Arcy.
The film sparked the careers of Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Myrna Loy who had uncredited roles in the film.