Advertisement
 
00:00


Image source: Internet Archive (archive.org)
Download Movie [Video Format: MP4]
Movie Source: Internet Archive (archive.org)
Advertisement
Advertisement

"The Beloved Rogue" (1927) starring John Barrymore and Marceline Day

"The Beloved Rogue" is a historical romantic drama featuring John Barrymore and Marceline Day, a star of Silent Hall of Fame.

The film is by any measure a super production even in the contemporary meaning of the word.  It has rich sets, enormous crowds, intriguing storyline that includes numerous adventures, such as roof jumping and catapult shooting and, yes, a beautiful romance that goes through agony to reach the final triumph.   
 
The film has as its principal player John Barrymore, who portrays the 15th century French poet Francois Villon.  Two preeminent movie personalities have expressed their strong opinion about John Barrymore’s acting in this film.  The first one is Orson Wells, who, introducing "The Beloved Rogue", says:
 
Quote
“I better admit that I am prejudiced, and I have to preface my remarks by saying that John Barrymore was my idol, that he was one of the greatest actors of our century, and that he was one of my dearest friends, from early childhood to the last years of his life.  So I am speaking as a friend and a great admirer when I say that he is not at his best in this feature.”
Unquote
 
The second preeminent movie personality is John Barrymore, and he agreed with Orson Wells.
 
We are going to disagree with both of these distinguished film stars.  John Barrymore produces a fine play in many episodes of the film, and his acting is an excellent effort.
 
The supporting male role is that of the German actor Conrad Veidt, portraying King Louis XI.  Conrad Veidt does a very fine job in depicting this absolute monarch as a superstitious and hesitant ruler, who is forced to do the right thing and get rid of the threat to his throne only by the rebellion of the poor, instigated by Villon.  For his loyalty the King rewards Villon with a new feather to write poems and with the girl of his dreams.
 
The supporting female role is entrusted to Marceline Day, who portrays brilliantly the haughty little countess Charlotte de Vauxcelles. All the extraordinary romantic appeal of the film, and of the whole film itself, is due to Marceline Day’s superb emotional acting in all romantic scenes, where she is ably supported by John Barrymore. 
 
Marceline Day was recommended for this role to John Barrymore by his brother Lionel, with whom she played the year before, 1926, in the powerful drama “The Barrier”.  Lionel Barrymore said that Marceline Day has “exceptional talent”.  Below are a few critic reviews in support of this opinion:
 
Marceline Day shines brilliantly in innumerable scenes. (Northern Star)
 
The many scenes that reveal Barrymore and Marceline Day in romantic episodes are chockful of artistry and sincerity. (Morning Bulletin)
 
Marceline Day makes the film the most colorful, romantic screen story in the history of motion pictures. (Sunday Times)

Directed by                 Alan Crosland
Produced by               Art Cinema Corporation
Written by                  Justin Huntley McCarthy(novel & play If I Were King)
                                     Paul Bern (adaptation & scenario)
                                     Walter Anthony (intertitles)
Starring                       John Barrymore, Marceline Day, Conrad Veidt
Cinematography         Joseph H. August
Distributed by             United Artists
Release date                12 March 1927
Running time              98 min.
Country                       United States
Language                     Silent film, English intertitles

You can see a slideshow of stills from this film and other interesting stuff on our website silent-hall-of-fame.org.

Silent Hall of Fame is the only place where we actively work to bring back from oblivion the names and legacy of formerly illustrious silent movie stars, which have made a major contribution to the industry and the world but do not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

We also fight for your right, the right of the public, to see silent masterpieces that have been kept in hidden vaults for far too long. Our website streams for free one such masterpiece that has not been seen in 85 years and is not available anywhere else.

Please visit our website to watch quality silent films absolutely free and to support the legacy of silent movie stars with your tax deductible contribution.

Silent Hall of Fame has started an online campaign to begin raising funds for the nomination of our first star for the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All contributions are tax deductible. Here is the web page:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-a-silent-movie-star-for-the-w...
Please spread the word about the campaign and Silent Hall of Fame and help your favorite silent star receive belated recognition and glory.

Silent Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization
Preserving the legacy of silent movie stars
http://silent-hall-of-fame.org/

5.00

More Public Domain Movies