Her Crowning Glory
“A governess who possesses a luxuriant head of hair and a face that is a shame to speak of.”
About Her Crowning Glory
Wealthy widower Mortimer dotes on his spoiled daughter Helen, hires a governess, and, after Helen slaps her, asks the governess to marry him because of her hair. Helen and the nurse object. The nurse gives Helen a pin to stick in the governess's leg, then has her cut off the hair while the governess sleeps after a shampoo. Mortimer kisses her awake, sees the hair gone, and dismisses her from the house.
Cast & crew
More about Her Crowning Glory
Laurence Trimble directed this one-reel Vitagraph comedy. Silent Era lists a September 12, 1911 release through the General Film Company. It came seven months into the John Bunny and Flora Finch series called the Bunnyfinches.
Themes
Music
Silent, with English intertitles. Martin Marks wrote a score for the National Film Preservation Foundation presentation.
Preservation
UCLA Film & Television Archive holds an original 35mm nitrate negative and a 35mm preservation positive. The National Film Preservation Foundation copied a 35mm print at 18 frames per second.
Notes
- John Bunny plays Mortimer. Flora Finch plays the governess. Helene Costello plays Helen. Mae Costello plays the nurse. Kate Price plays Amelia, Mortimer's sister. Edith Halleran plays the maid.
- Wikipedia dates the release September 11, 1911. The National Film Preservation Foundation credits the director as Larry Trimble, with a question mark. Silent Era and Wikipedia credit Laurence Trimble.
- Vitagraph publicity called the title a reference to the governess's chestnut curls.
- The National Film Preservation Foundation notes that the ending hints a more suitable wife has been in the house all along.
- Helene Costello was the daughter of Vitagraph actor Maurice Costello.
- The preserved print was copied at 18 frames per second. Wikipedia times the running length at 14 minutes at 19 frames per second.
Scenes
- The nurse hands Helen a pin to stick in the governess's leg.
- Helen cuts off the governess's hair while she sleeps by the window, drying it after a shampoo.
- Mortimer kisses the governess awake and sends her out of the house.
Also available
- Wikimedia Commons (Her Crowning Glory (1911).webm)
- Treasures from American Film Archives, program 2 (National Film Preservation Foundation)
