Janice Meredith,also known asThe Beautiful Rebel,is a silent film starringMarion Davies,released in 1924 and based on the book and playA Colonial Girlwritten byPaul Leicester FordandEdward Everett Rose.[2]The play opened at the end of 1900 and was the first starring vehicle for stage actressMary Mannering.The movie follows the actions of Janice Meredith, who helpsGeorge WashingtonandPaul Revereduring theAmerican Revolutionary War.[3][4]
| Janice Meredith | |
|---|---|
 Lobby card | |
| Directed by | E. Mason Hopper E. J. Babille(assistant) |
| Written by | Lillie Hayward |
| Based on | Janice Meredith byPaul Leicester FordandEdward Everett Rose |
| Produced by | William Randolph Hearst |
| Starring | Marion Davies Holbrook Blinn Maclyn Arbuckle Tyrone Power, Sr. Joseph Kilgour |
| Cinematography | George Barnes Ira H. Morgan |
| Edited by | Walter Futter |
| Music by | Deems Taylor |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn |
Release date |
|
Running time | 153 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent film Englishintertitles |
| Budget | $1.5 million[1] |
Plot
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Following a disappointment in love, Lord Brereton assumes the name of Charles Fownes, arranges passage to the American Colonies as a bondservant, and finds a place with Squire Meredith, a wealthy New Jersey landowner. When Charles falls in love with the squire's daughter, Janice, she is sent to live with an aunt inBoston.Janice learns of the planned British troop movement to the Lexington arsenal and gives the warning that results in Paul Revere's ride. Charles reveals his true station and becomes an aide to Washington. When he is captured by the British, Janice arranges his escape and later helps him learn the disposition of the British troops at Trenton. Janice returns to her home and agrees to marry Philemon Hennion, an aristocrat of her father's choosing. Charles and some Continental troops halt the wedding and confiscate the Meredith lands. Janice flees toPhiladelphia,and Charles follows her. He is arrested but is freed when the British general, Howe, recognizes Charles as his old friend, Lord Brereton. Janice and her father retire with the British to Yorktown. During the bombardment by Washington's forces, Lord Clowes binds Janice and abducts her in his coach. Charles rescues her. With peace restored, Janice and Charles meet at Mount Vernon, where they are to be married in the presence of President Washington.
Cast
edit- Marion Daviesas Janice Meredith
- Holbrook Blinnas Lord Clowes
- Harrison Fordas Charles Fownes
- Macklyn Arbuckleas Squire Meredith
- Joseph Kilgouras General George Washington
- Hattie Delaroas Mrs. Meredith
- George Nash as Lord Howe
- Tyrone Power, Sr.as Lord Cornwallis
- May Vokesas Susie
- W.C. Fieldsas A British Sergeant
- Olin Howlandas Philemon
- Helen Lee Worthingas Mrs. Loring
- Spencer Chartersas Squire Hennion
- Douglas Stevenson as Captain Mowbrary
- Lionel Adamsas Thomas Jefferson
- Edwin Argus as Louis XVI
- Lee Beggs as Benjamin Franklin
- Nicolai Koesberg as Lafayette
- Ken Maynardas Paul Revere
- Burton McEvilly as Alexander Hamilton
- Harlan Knightas Theodore Larkin
- Walter Lawas General Charles Lee
- Wilfred Noyas Dr. Joseph Warren
- Florence Turneras Maid
Production
editIn her 19th film,Marion Daviesstarred as Janice Meredith in a story about the American Revolution. As withYolanda,this film was not considered to be a hit, but the trade papers reported a record-breaking run at the Cosmopolitan Theater in New York. Exteriors were shot in New York with extended location shooting in Upstate New York. Hearst built a replica of Trenton, NJ, in Plattsburgh, and the Saranac River doubled for the Delaware. Other scenes were filmed onLake Placid.[5]Screenlandnoted that Hearst spent $80,000 on the recreation of the Battle of Lexington. The film received generally good reviews. The large cast includedW.C. Fieldsin his feature film debut. Davies and Fields had worked together in the 1916 edition of the "Ziegfeld Follies."[6]
Survival status
editThe existing print is actually the British version, which was titledThe Beautiful Rebel.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Janice Meredith".August 13, 1924. p. 21.
{{cite magazine}}:Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - ^"The Stage and Its People".Philadelphia Times.March 31, 1901. p. 36.
- ^Janice Meredithat silentera.com
- ^Janice Meredithas presented on Broadway at Wallack's Theatre, December 10, 1900 to February 1901, 92 performances; IBDb.com
- ^MacKenzie, Mary (2007). "Lake Placid and the Silent Film Industry". In Manchester, Lee (ed.).The Plains of Abraham. A History of North Elba and Lake Placid.Utica, New York. pp. 360–361.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^Lorusso, Edward(2017)The Silent Films of Marion Davies,CreateSpace, pp. 104-105.
External links
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