Anything But Silent with piano a ccompaniment by BEN MODEL
WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER starring Marion Davies
Tuesday, July 11 at 7:30 pm | Members $11 | Public $16
A massive hit when released, this lavish epic transformed actress Marion Davies into a superstar. Set in the time of the palace intrigues of King Henry VIII, Marion plays the rebellious Mary Tudor, younger sister to Henry VIII. She defies the court by falling in love with a commoner but forced into betrothal to the decrepit King Louis XII. Political forces conspire to keep the lovers apart and she must use all her wiles to win the man she loves. Thirties favourite William Powell appears in just his second film, but this is very much Davies’ picture. She is warm, personable, and funny, as young Mary Tudor. The million dollars plus budget is lavished on the sumptuous sets and designs spanning 3 New York City blocks, 32 sets, 3000 costumes and antique jewelry and armor.
Full of action, romance, humour and wit, this wonderfully entertaining picture is the true beginning of the legend of Marion Davies onscreen. The film is newly restored from the sole surviving 35mm nitrate print (from Marion’s personal collection) and brought back to public awareness by Ben Model & his Undercrank Productions. (USA, 1922, 120 min., Silent with English Intertitles, NR, DCP | Dir. Robert G. Vignola)
Ben Model is one of America’s leading silent film accompanists, and has been playing piano and organ for silent films at the New York MoMA since 1984, and the CAC since 2006.
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