The Divine Lady (1929)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Frank Lloyd

Writers:

E. Barrington (novel)
Forrest Halsey (adaptation)

Release Date:

1929 (Turkey)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance | War

Plot:

The story of the romance between Emma, Lady Hamilton, and British war hero Admiral Horatio Nelson.

Plot Keywords:

Naples | Admiral | Horatio Nelson | Cook | Ambassador

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Corinne Griffith	...	Lady Emma Hart Hamilton
Victor Varconi	...	Horatio Nelson
H.B. Warner	...	Sir William Hamilton
Ian Keith	...	Honorable Charles Greville
Marie Dressler	...	Mrs. Hart
Montagu Love	...	Captain Hardy
William Conklin	...	George Romney
Dorothy Cumming	...	Queen Maria Carolina of Naples
Michael Vavitch	...	King Ferdinand of Naples
Evelyn Hall	...	Duchess of Devonshire
Helen Jerome Eddy	...	Lady Fanny Nelson

Runtime:

99 min | 98 min (1994 UCLA/MOMA restoration)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent | Vitaphone (musical score and sound effects) (Western Electric Apparatus)

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | USA:TV-G (TV rating)

Company:

First National Pictures

Trivia:

This film was a joint preservation project of the UCLA Film and Television Archive and the Museum of Modern Art Department of Film in cooperation with the Czechoslovak Film Archive. It was restored in conjunction with the project American Moviemakers: The Dawn of Sound.

Movie Connections:

Remade as That Hamilton Woman (1941)

Soundtrack:

Torna a Surriento (Return to Sorrento)

That Griffith Woman

Briefly, as explained in an introductory title card, "This is the historic tale of two people whose lives are an immortal romance; the story of the love and destiny of England's greatest beauty, and England's greatest sailor." The film focuses on the greatest beauty of Corinne Griffith (as Emma Hart). Her main lover is the greatest sailor, Victor Varconi (as Horatio Nelson). Ms. Griffith dominates the drama, which begins in late 18th century England. Introduced as a servant girl, Griffith becomes enamored with noble boss Ian Keith (as Charles Greville). After gaining a reputation as a "vulgar hussy", Griffith is sent to Italy; there, she becomes more ladylike, and marries Mr. Keith's uncle, H.B. Warner (as William Hamilton). Then, as "Lady Hamilton", she meets, and has an historically influential affair with Mr. Varconi, her "true love".

"The Divine Lady" is a showy, costly production. It was noticed during the second "Academy Awards" ceremony for the direction of Frank Lloyd. Mr. Lloyd's direction is, indeed, a strength; in one scene, he makes you feel you are on a Ferris Wheel. Lloyd was also noted for directing Richard Barthelmess in "Weary River" and "Drag", films which sandwiched "Divine Lady". John Seitz' photography is another strength; he is responsible for many beautiful scenes; and, of course, shows superstar Griffith in her best light. Comic relief Marie Dressler (as Mrs. Hart) appears too briefly.

In 1994, Corinne Griffith received a belated "Academy Award" nomination as "Best Actress" for "The Divine Lady"; the revelation appeared in Robert Osborne's "65 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards".

There were no actual "nominations" announced that year (actually, the 1928-29 season); after the awards gained stature, there were attempts to bring the earlier ceremonies in line with what was becoming the industry standard. The inclusion of Griffith's name among the nominees may have been due to a suggestion Jeanne Eagels' performance in "The Letter" be dropped, since she died in October 1929.

A look at the other nominations would support Griffith's inclusion; however, the second ceremony was not one of the Academy's best efforts. Griffith's starry, self-conscious performance was better than "Best Actress" winner Mary Pickford's, in "Coquette"; but, so were most. Lillian Gish and Greta Garbo essayed far superior characterizations, during the eligibility period, but were not nominated. However, dog star Rin Tin Tin was considered for a "Best Actor" nomination.

****** The Divine Lady (4/14/29) Frank Lloyd ~ Corinne Griffith, Victor Varconi, H.B. Warner