Her Night of Romance

About the production

The film was a significant production for Constance Talmadge's own production company, showcasing her power as a female mogul in early Hollywood. Director Sidney Franklin, known for his sophisticated touch, worked closely with Talmadge to ensure the film maintained a 'Continental' feel despite being filmed largely in California. The chemistry between Talmadge and Ronald Colman was so palpable during production that it led to their immediate re-teaming for 'The Lady' (1925). The production utilized elaborate sets to recreate the atmosphere of high-society London and the English countryside.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

1924 placed Her Night of Romance within United States cinema as Constance Talmadge Film Corporation navigated wartime markets, immigration audiences, and the shift from intertitles to sound.

Why this film matters

Archivists revisit Her Night of Romance (1924) for Sidney Franklin style, genre norms at Constance Talmadge Film Corporation, and the exhibition context of 70 minutes programming.

Making of

The production was noted for its relaxed and jovial atmosphere, largely due to Constance Talmadge's reputation for being among the leading well-liked personalities in Hollywood. Sidney Franklin utilized a 'soft-focus' cinematography style that was becoming popular in the mid-20s to enhance the romantic aura of the leads. There were reports that Ronald Colman struggled initially with the comedic timing required for the 'fake doctor' scenes, as his previous roles had been strictly dramatic, but he was coached by Talmadge. The set for the 'inn' was among the costliest interior sets built at United Studios that year, featuring working plumbing and intricate woodwork to simulate a centuries-old British establishment.

What critics said

Retrospective writing on Her Night of Romance stresses craft by Sidney Franklin, print survival, and repertory value rather than opening-week gross alone.

Did you know?

• This film marked the first of two highly successful collaborations between Constance Talmadge and Ronald Colman.
• Ronald Colman was still a relatively new face in Hollywood at the time, having only recently achieved stardom in 'The White Sister' (1923).
• The film's screenplay was written by Hans Kräly, who was the preferred writer for Ernst Lubitsch, accounting for the film's 'Lubitsch-esque' wit.
• Constance Talmadge was known as 'The Dutch Doll' and was one of the three famous Talmadge sisters who dominated the silent screen.
• Jean Hersholt, who plays Joe Diamond, later became famous for the 'Dr. Christian' series and has a humanitarian Oscar named after him.
• The film features a 'wrong-room' comedy trope that was quite daring for the pre-Code era, though handled with silent-era innocence.
• The original prints of the film were tinted in various colors to denote mood and time of day, such as amber for interiors and blue for night scenes.
• The film was considered a 'comeback' of sorts for Constance Talmadge, re-establishing her as the queen of sophisticated light comedy.

Awards & recognition

• Photoplay Magazine Medal of Honor (Nomination/Finalist list 1924)

Visual style

The film was shot by Victor Milner, a cinematographer who later won an Oscar for 'The Crusades.' Milner used innovative lighting techniques to create a dreamy, romantic atmosphere, particularly in the night scenes. He employed the use of 'gauze' over the lenses during close-ups of Talmadge to create a radiant, ethereal glow that became a trademark of her films.

Innovations

The film utilized advanced double-exposure techniques in a few dream/fantasy sequences where Dorothy imagines her ailments. The editing by Hal C. Kern (who later edited 'Gone with the Wind') was notably fast-paced for 1924, using quick cuts during the comedic misunderstandings to heighten the energy of the performances.

Music

As a silent film, there was no recorded soundtrack. However, First National provided theaters with a 'Musical Cue Sheet' which suggested classical pieces and contemporary popular songs to be played by live orchestras or organists. Common suggestions included light operettas and romantic waltzes to match the London setting.

Famous quotes

Title Card: 'A man may be a Lord and still be a gentleman—but it’s a hard combination to beat.'

Title Card: 'Dorothy Adams had every disease known to medical science—and several that hadn't been invented yet.'

Title Card: 'I'm not a doctor of medicine, I'm a doctor of hearts—and yours is beating just like mine.'

Memorable scenes

• The 'Stethoscope Scene' where Paul (impersonating the doctor) has to listen to Dorothy's heart and becomes visibly flustered by his own attraction to her.
• The rainstorm sequence where the characters are forced to share a single room at an inn, leading to a series of 'hide-and-seek' comedic moments involving a folding screen.
• The final revelation scene where Paul confesses his identity, only to find that Dorothy has known for longer than he realized.

What audiences thought

The film was a massive hit with female audiences in 1924, who were drawn to the romantic pairing of the leads and the fashionable costumes worn by Talmadge. It was a staple in first-run theaters for months and performed exceptionally well in international markets, particularly in the UK and France. Fans of the era frequently wrote into fan magazines praising the 'bedroom' sequence for being both hilarious and romantic without being scandalous.

Film connections

Influenced by

• The plays of Oscar Wilde
• The 'Lubitsch Touch' style of directing
• Cinderella-style folklore (reversed)

This film influenced

• The Love Parade (1929)
• It Happened One Night (1934)
• Doctor in the House (1954)

Film restoration

The film is fortunately preserved. A high-quality restoration was completed using elements from the Cohen Film Collection and the British Film Institute. It is one of the few Constance Talmadge features that survives in near-pristine condition.

Where to watch

• Available on Blu-ray via the Cohen Media Group 'Constance Talmadge Double Feature'
• Streaming on Kanopy (in certain territories)
• Available for digital rental on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV