Guest Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Very rare film based on Molnar's THE SWAN (an alternate title), ONE ROMANTIC NIGHT tells the story of a princess who must choose between a romantic tutor (Conrad Nagel) or a rascally prince (Rod La Rocque). Getting in the way and making things difficult is the princess' mother (Marie Dressler). A terrific cast makes this watchable (although my copy is bad), but the story is rather dull. Gish (in her talkie debut) looks and sounds great; Dressler of course steals every scene she's in. Nagel is OK, and La Rocque is handsome but somewhat prissy. At age 37, Gish was probably too old for the part of the princess, but it's the kind of character that fit her screen persona. Gish herself did not like the film and considered it slow and dull. She also didn't like the director, whose work she was unfamiliar with. She had not made a film since 1928's silent THE WIND and wouldn't make another film for 3 years. La Rocque, Nagel, and Dressler had all made talkies before this film. Oddly, this story was filmed again in the 50s as THE SWAN and starring Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Since I like Lillian Gish I have always been intrigued by this film. I wish It were released on DVD. I have been thinking for a while about buying the Silent version of the story that was released in 1925 and stars Frances Howard (later Mrs. Samuel Goldwyn). Have you seen it Drednm? Do you know if the copy that's being sold at Amazon is good? Thanks for any feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altfg Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 ONE ROMANTIC NIGHT is being screened at Cinefest 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 THE SWAN??? No I don't have it but I've seen it listed here and there..... Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness did a 50s version also called THE SWAN..... The Gish film isn't bad, just a little slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Hi Drednm, Thanks for the reply. The 1956 Grace Kelly version is a perennial favorite of mine, especially due to Estelle Winwood's, Jessie Royce Landis' and Brian Aherne's delightful performances in supporting roles...ah yes! Agnes Moorehead is also very good near the end as the dowager queen. It's sad it hasn't been released on DVD either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 haven't seen the Grace Kelly version in ages.... interesting that the Gish version (considered a huge flop in its day) is being shown at Cinefest 2008... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts