The Swan (Silent)

Princess Alexandra is to marry her cousin Albert, the crown prince. The womanizing Albert, however, has no use for a stuck-up Princess. To make him jealous, Alexandra's mother instructs the girl to flirt with Dr. Walter, a tutor employed by the royal family. The queen's plan backfires when the handsome Walter melts Alexandra's icy heart. But a Princess, of course, cannot marry a commoner. Choosing her own happiness will cost Alexandria a kingdom...

The Swan is the first film adaptation of Hungarian writer Ferenc Molnar's play, A Hattyu Vigjatek Harom Felvonasbarn. It is an early screen triumph for Adolphe Menjou, looking much the same as he did at the height of his success during the sound era. Nominated for an Oscar for his performance in 1931's The Front Page, Menjou specialized in scene-stealing supporting roles in such great films as A Farewell to Arms (1932) and A Star is Born (1937). His last acclaimed screen appearance was as the embittered General Broulard in Stanley Kubrick's 1957 anti-war masterpiece, Paths of Glory. Leading lady Frances Howard was married to legendary movie producer Samuel Goldwyn. Ricardo Cortez is best remembered as Detective Sam Spade in the 1931 version of The Maltese Falcon. Director Dimitri Buchowetzki was a Russian filmmaker who had only recently emigrated to America. The Swan would be famously remade in 1956 with Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness. This silent version features an original score composed by Don Kinnier.

• silent