Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall
About Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall
In May 1550 Sir George Vernon pledges his daughter Dorothy to John Manners, son of the Earl of Rutland, or else he forfeits ten of his thirty manors when she turns eighteen. The children grow up disliking the match. George tries to switch her to her cousin Malcolm. John comes back from France in Malcolm's place, and Dorothy falls in love with him anyway. She hides Mary, Queen of Scots, then gives Mary away to Elizabeth, is taken to the queen in Mary's clothes, and is jailed. John kills Malcolm when Malcolm moves against Elizabeth. Elizabeth lets Dorothy go and sends John to Wales for a year. They end together.
Cast & crew
More about Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall
Mary Pickford produced it and plays Dorothy. Marshall Neilan directed. Waldemar Young adapted Charles Major's 1902 novel. Charles Rosher photographed it. Victor Schertzinger wrote the score. United Artists released it. Wikipedia dates the release 25 May 1924 and the length at 135 minutes. It was shot at Haddon Hall, the first picture made there after a restoration four years earlier. Ernst Lubitsch had been asked to direct and declined. Neilan, who had made Stella Maris and Daddy-Long-Legs with Pickford, arrived on this set drunk, and the two fought through the shoot.
Themes
Making
Pickford spent $750,000, shot at the real Haddon Hall, and stuck with Neilan after Lubitsch said no. The fights on the set ended that working partnership.
Look
Charles Rosher photographed the Hall, the forest meetings, and Dorothy's climb over the walls in Mary's clothes.
Music
Victor Schertzinger wrote the score for the silent release.
Preservation
The Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education holds a print. A copy also circulates from that survival.
Notes
- Allan Forrest plays John Manners. Anders Randolf is Sir George. Marc McDermott is Sir Malcolm. Clare Eames is Elizabeth. Estelle Taylor is Mary, Queen of Scots. Lottie Pickford is the maid Jennie Faxton.
- Wilfred Lucas plays the Earl of Rutland. Courtenay Foote is Leicester. Carrie Daumery is Lady Vernon.
- The AFI Catalog lists a 15 March 1924 release date, a copyright of 16 April 1924 (LP20113), and a New York opening at the Criterion on 5 May 1924. Variety reported a sixteen-week run there.
- It played five weeks at Grauman's Million Dollar Theatre in Los Angeles.
- Production ran from early October through late December 1923. Sterrett Ford came in as production manager. Lottie Pickford Forrest and Allan Forrest joined the cast.
- A print is held by the Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education.
Scenes
- John arrives disguised as cousin Malcolm, and Dorothy does not know him.
- Dorothy puts on Mary's clothes and is taken to Elizabeth.
- John kills Malcolm in the sword fight after Malcolm plans to murder the queen.
Influenced by
- Charles Major's novel Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall (1902)
Also available
- Internet Archive (silent-dorothy-vernon-of-haddon-hall)
- Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education
