When Knighthood Was in Flower

A lavish experience. When Knighthood Was in Flower was a huge hit for Cosmopolitan at the time when its films were distributed by Paramount. Starring, of course, Marion Davies as Henry VIII's lovely sister, Mary Tudor. Davies used all the options of an adventure story and played all the interesting positions - the spoiled princess, the angry noblewoman, the queen in love, the pain-ravaged mistress, and finally the brawler from the pub. All this was under the excellent direction of Robert G. Vignola, who was able to splurge on Hearst's money and stage the entire story with expensive sets and great costumes. It was based on Charles Major's 1898 novel of the same name, whose enormous popularity was anchored by Paul Kester's Broadway dramatization three years later. The restored copy now offers several hand-colored scenes that enhance the experience in an unusual way. (06.11.2021)