The Divine Lady
(1929)
103 or 105 mins | Drama | 31 March 1929
Director:
Frank LloydWriter:
Forrest HalseyProducer:
Walter MoroscoEditor:
Hugh BennettProduction Designer:
Horace JacksonProduction Companies:
First National Pictures, Inc., The Vitaphone Corp.Onscreen credits misspell special photographer John F. Seitz's name as "John B. Sietz" and associate photographer Alvin Knechtel's surname is misspelled "Knechel." Sources offer conflicting footage lengths for the film. According to contemporary sources, some theaters exhibited the film without sound. The song "Lady Divine" was sung over the opening credits. Within the otherwise silent film, several musical backgrounds are heard, as well as portions of other songs. The singing voice was advertised as being that of the film's star, Corinne Griffith, although some reviewers doubted that the voice actually was hers. At one point, a voice is heard singing one song while Griffith visibly mouths the words to another, the Scottish traditional ballad "Loch Lomond."
According to a studio directory in the 26 May 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World, production began on 2 Apr 1928.
As in the film, Lord Horatio Nelson (1758--1805) and Lady Emma Hamilton (1765--1815), both of whom were married to other people, became lovers and shocked late 18th-century and early 19th-century English society. Following Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar, Lady Hamilton faded into obscurity and died in poverty. Although not mentioned in the film, the couple had a daughter, Horatia, and remained on good terms with Lord Hamilton.
Modern sources include Harold Goodwin, Joan Bennett, Bob Kortman , Louis Mercier, Grant Withers and Gil Perkins as extras in the film. Another film inspired by Nelson's and Hamilton's love story is the 1941 Alexander Korda production That Hamilton Woman, starring Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh (see entry). Director Frank Lloyd won an Academy Award for his work on this film. ...
Onscreen credits misspell special photographer John F. Seitz's name as "John B. Sietz" and associate photographer Alvin Knechtel's surname is misspelled "Knechel." Sources offer conflicting footage lengths for the film. According to contemporary sources, some theaters exhibited the film without sound. The song "Lady Divine" was sung over the opening credits. Within the otherwise silent film, several musical backgrounds are heard, as well as portions of other songs. The singing voice was advertised as being that of the film's star, Corinne Griffith, although some reviewers doubted that the voice actually was hers. At one point, a voice is heard singing one song while Griffith visibly mouths the words to another, the Scottish traditional ballad "Loch Lomond."
According to a studio directory in the 26 May 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World, production began on 2 Apr 1928.
As in the film, Lord Horatio Nelson (1758--1805) and Lady Emma Hamilton (1765--1815), both of whom were married to other people, became lovers and shocked late 18th-century and early 19th-century English society. Following Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar, Lady Hamilton faded into obscurity and died in poverty. Although not mentioned in the film, the couple had a daughter, Horatia, and remained on good terms with Lord Hamilton.
Modern sources include Harold Goodwin, Joan Bennett, Bob Kortman , Louis Mercier, Grant Withers and Gil Perkins as extras in the film. Another film inspired by Nelson's and Hamilton's love story is the 1941 Alexander Korda production That Hamilton Woman, starring Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh (see entry). Director Frank Lloyd won an Academy Award for his work on this film.
In 1782, Emma Hart, the beautiful daughter of a cook hired by artist George Romney, is courted by his friend, Charles Greville, but later marries Greville's uncle William, Lord Hamilton, the British ambassador to the Court of Naples. Despite the differences in their ages and social positions, Emma and Lord Hamilton are happy, and Emma becomes a confidante of the Queen of Naples. Years later, Emma meets English Capt. Horatio Nelson and, during the Napoleonic wars, is instrumental in gaining royal permission for him to take on badly needed water and provisions at Naples. Although initially denying their feelings, Nelson and Emma soon become lovers and live openly together. Nelson's naval victories against the French, and Emma's help to the British government during the war, lead to their return to London where they are cheered by crowds. However, because of their adulterous relationship, Emma is snubbed by English society and shunned by her husband. After Emma is denied an invitation to a royal ball in Nelson's honor, Nelson leaves his wife Fanny and retires to his country estate with Emma. They are happy for a while, but duty later calls Nelson away to head the British fleet. Although he again defeats the French, Nelson is badly wounded and dies at the Battle of Trafalgar, surrounded by his loyal men and thinking of ...
In 1782, Emma Hart, the beautiful daughter of a cook hired by artist George Romney, is courted by his friend, Charles Greville, but later marries Greville's uncle William, Lord Hamilton, the British ambassador to the Court of Naples. Despite the differences in their ages and social positions, Emma and Lord Hamilton are happy, and Emma becomes a confidante of the Queen of Naples. Years later, Emma meets English Capt. Horatio Nelson and, during the Napoleonic wars, is instrumental in gaining royal permission for him to take on badly needed water and provisions at Naples. Although initially denying their feelings, Nelson and Emma soon become lovers and live openly together. Nelson's naval victories against the French, and Emma's help to the British government during the war, lead to their return to London where they are cheered by crowds. However, because of their adulterous relationship, Emma is snubbed by English society and shunned by her husband. After Emma is denied an invitation to a royal ball in Nelson's honor, Nelson leaves his wife Fanny and retires to his country estate with Emma. They are happy for a while, but duty later calls Nelson away to head the British fleet. Although he again defeats the French, Nelson is badly wounded and dies at the Battle of Trafalgar, surrounded by his loyal men and thinking of Emma.
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