Post by Midge on Aug 5, 2011 0:25:13 GMT -6
Last night I was flipping channels when I came across a silent romantic comedy that was so delightful that I had to stay and see it to the end. It was Her Night of Love [correct title Her Night of Romance] (1924), part of a Ronald Colman tribute that aired on TCM.
Constance Talmadge plays Dorothy Adams, the wealthy but shy daughter of a wealthy industrial tycoon (Albert Gran). The tycoon has brought his daughter to England for her health. He buys the estate of an impoverished nobleman, Lord Paul Menford (Colman). A comedy of errors ensues as Colman pretends to be a doctor to gain access to the beautiful blonde heiress, while his business partner (Jean Hersholt) suggests he might improve his prospects by marrying her.
This is just the beginning of a series of comical misunderstandings which culminates in the young couple spending the night together in a bedroom at the estate because everyone believes they are already married. Only the butler (Sidney Bracey) knows the truth.
This was a throughly entertaining movie, and it was a treat to see a very young Ronald Colman just as he was becoming a star. Of course I couldn't help but miss his distinctive cultured baritone voice, but even voiceless he exudes the patented Colman charm (and sports his trademark thin mustache).
Miss Talmadge was especially delightful as a comedienne. It is easy to see why she was such a big star in her day. I particularly enjoyed one scene when Lord Menford has fled the estate just as the vicar turns up to marry them for real. The elderly cleric enters the room, sees Talmadge looking wistfully out the window, and innocently inquires, "Is this the happy bride?" She turns, looks at him with her big saucer eyes brimming with tears and blurts out "Yes, I'm the . . . happy . . .bride," and bursts into tears. (Trust me, it was funny!
Her Night of Romance was directed by Sidney Franklin from a screenplay by Hanns Kraly, whose credits include Flesh and the Devil and The Eagle. The film was restored by the LIbrary of Congress and features a piano score composed by Bruce Loeb. See this one if you get a chance. It's a gem.
Constance Talmadge plays Dorothy Adams, the wealthy but shy daughter of a wealthy industrial tycoon (Albert Gran). The tycoon has brought his daughter to England for her health. He buys the estate of an impoverished nobleman, Lord Paul Menford (Colman). A comedy of errors ensues as Colman pretends to be a doctor to gain access to the beautiful blonde heiress, while his business partner (Jean Hersholt) suggests he might improve his prospects by marrying her.
This is just the beginning of a series of comical misunderstandings which culminates in the young couple spending the night together in a bedroom at the estate because everyone believes they are already married. Only the butler (Sidney Bracey) knows the truth.
This was a throughly entertaining movie, and it was a treat to see a very young Ronald Colman just as he was becoming a star. Of course I couldn't help but miss his distinctive cultured baritone voice, but even voiceless he exudes the patented Colman charm (and sports his trademark thin mustache).
Miss Talmadge was especially delightful as a comedienne. It is easy to see why she was such a big star in her day. I particularly enjoyed one scene when Lord Menford has fled the estate just as the vicar turns up to marry them for real. The elderly cleric enters the room, sees Talmadge looking wistfully out the window, and innocently inquires, "Is this the happy bride?" She turns, looks at him with her big saucer eyes brimming with tears and blurts out "Yes, I'm the . . . happy . . .bride," and bursts into tears. (Trust me, it was funny!
Her Night of Romance was directed by Sidney Franklin from a screenplay by Hanns Kraly, whose credits include Flesh and the Devil and The Eagle. The film was restored by the LIbrary of Congress and features a piano score composed by Bruce Loeb. See this one if you get a chance. It's a gem.
