His Hour
His Hour | |
---|---|
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Directed by | King Vidor |
Written by | Maude Fulton(intertitles) Elinor Glyn King Vidor (intertitles) |
Produced by | Irving Thalberg |
Starring | Aileen Pringle |
Cinematography | John J. Mescall |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent(Englishintertitles) |
Budget | $197,000[1] |
Box office | $595,000[1] |
His Houris a 1924 Americansilentdrama filmdirected byKing Vidor.[2]This film was the follow-up toSamuel Goldwyn'sThree Weeks,written byElinor Glyn,and starringAileen Pringle,one of the biggest moneymakers at the time of theMetro-Goldwyn-Mayeramalgamation.
Plot[edit]
Gritzko (John Gilbert) is a Russian nobleman and Tamara (Aileen Pringle) is the object of his desire.
Cast[edit]
- Aileen Pringleas Tamara Loraine
- John Gilbertas Gritzko
- Emily Fitzroyas Princess Ardacheff
- Lawrence Grantas Stephen Strong
- Dale Fulleras Olga Gleboff
- Mario Carilloas Count Valonne
- Jacqueline Gadsdenas Tatiane Shebanoff (credited as Jacquelin Gadsdon)
- George Waggneras Sasha Basmanoff (credited as George Waggoner)
- Carrie Clark Wardas Prinncess Murieska
- Bertram Grassbyas Boris Varishkine
- Jill Reties as Sonia Zaieskine
- Wilfred Gough as Lord Courtney
- Frederick Vroomas English Minister
- Mathilde Comontas Fat Harem Lady
- E. Eliazaroff as Khedive
- David Mir as Serge Greskoff
- Bert Sprotteas Ivan
- George Berangeras (credited as Andre Beranger)
- Virginia Adair (uncredited)
- Rowfat-Bey Haliloff as Dancer (uncredited)
- Mike Mitchell (uncredited)
- Jack Parker as Child (uncredited)
- Thais Valdemar (uncredited)
Production[edit]
His Hourmarked the first of five pictures that John Gilbert and King Vidor would make together for M-G-M.[3] Adapted from a 1910 novel byElinor Glyn,an author of torrid romances chic in the 19th century,His Hourwas Vidor's attempt to tap into the popularity ofJazz Age"flaming-youth" pictures dealing with marital infidelity.[4] The movie includes many titillating seduction scenes, one of which was deemed too salacious for release.[5] Produced under the strictures of the newProduction Code,producerLouis B. Mayercensured Vidor for incorporating some of Glyn's “hot-cheeked” depictions of sexual decadence.[6]
A former officer of the Russian Imperial Army, by now living inLos Angeles,served as a technical adviser on the film. His actual name has not been confirmed; however, the studio press releases referred to him as Mike Mitchell. This film marked the first of four times that John Gilbert and King Vidor would work together. Despite showcasing his riding ability and appearance, Gilbert hated the script and felt it gave him nothing substantial to do as an actor.[7]
Reception[edit]
In this, Gilbert's first film with King Vidor, audiences were impressed with the star as a romantic leading man[8]
Box office[edit]
According to MGM's records, the film made a profit of $159,000.[1]MGM sent Elinor Glynn records which stated the film cost $211,930 and earned $317,442 resulting in a profit of only $105,511. This meant Glynn, who was entitled to 33.3% of net profits, earned $35,170.[9]
Preservation[edit]
A print ofHis Hourwith Czech intertitles is located at theMuseum of Modern Artin New York.[10]
Footnotes[edit]
- ^abcH. Mark Glancy, 'MGM Film Grosses, 1924-28: The Eddie Mannix Ledger',Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television,Vol 12 No. 2 1992 p127-144 at p129
- ^"Progressive Silent Film List:His Hour".silentera.RetrievedAugust 9,2010.
- ^Durgnat and Simmon 1988 p. 54: “Gilbert’s first of five films with Vidor.”
Landazuri, 2009: “King Vidor directed Gilbert in five of his most successful films.” - ^Durgnat and Simmon 1988 p. 53-54
- ^Baxter, 1976 p. 20
- ^Durgnat and Simmon 1988 p. 53-54 and p. 56
- ^Golden, Eve;John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars;Le xing ton: University of Kentucky Press; pp. 81-82
- ^Landazuri, 2009: "...His Hour(1924), Gilbert’s first picture at MGM, was also his first with Vidor. Fans and critics alike responded enthusiastically to Gilbert as a romantic lead.”
Brownlow 1979 p. 192:”...His Hourbrought him [Gilbert] his [first] acclaim. - ^"The Novelist as Hollywood Star: Author Royalties and Studio Income in the 1920s" by Vincent L. Barnett,Film HistoryVol. 20, No. 3, Studio Systems (2008), pp. 281-293
- ^The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog:His Hour
References[edit]
- Baxter, John. 1976.King Vidor.Simon & Schuster, Inc. Monarch Film Studies. LOC Card Number 75-23544.
- Brownlow, KevinandKobal, John.1979.Hollywood: The Pioneers.Alfred A. Knopf Inc. A Borzoi Book, New York.ISBN0-394-50851-3
- Durgnat, Raymondand Simmon, Scott. 1988.King Vidor, American.University of California Press, Berkeley.ISBN0-520-05798-8
- Landazuri, Roberto. 2009.Bardelys the Magnificent.San Francisco Silent Film Festival (SFSFF)https://silentfilm.org/bardelys-the-magnificent/Retrieved 11 June 2020.
External links[edit]
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