When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922)

Mary Tudor, sister of England's Henry VIII, causes a stir by falling in love with a guardsman below her class.

Director:

Robert G. Vignola

Writers:

William LeBaron, Charles Major (novel)

Stars:

Marion Davies, Forrest Stanley, Lyn Harding

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marion Davies	...	Mary Tudor
Forrest Stanley	...	Charles Brandon
Lyn Harding	...	Henry VIII
Theresa Maxwell Conover	...	Queen Catherine
Pedro de Cordoba	...	Duke of Buckingham
Ruth Shepley	...	Lady Jane Bolingbroke
Ernest Glendinning	...	Sir Edwin Caskoden
Arthur Forrest	...	Cardinal Wolsey
Johnny Dooley	...	Will Sommers
William Kent	...	King's Tailor
Charles K. Gerrard	...	Sir Adam Judson (as Charles Gerard)
Arthur Donaldson	...	Sir Henry Brandon
Downing Clarke	...	Lord Chamberlain
William Norris	...	Louis XII
Macey Harlam	...	Duc de Longueville

Storyline

Mary Tudor, sister of England's Henry VIII, causes a stir by falling in love with a guardsman below her class.

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Plot Keywords:

royal family | saved from execution | soothsayer | secret entrance | jester | 

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Genres:

Romance | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Release Date:

15 September 1922 (USA)

Also Known As:

Da Mænd var Riddere

Filming Locations:

Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cosmopolitan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marion Davies learned how to use a sword for the scene in which, disguised as a boy, her character has to fight six men.

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Quotes

Henry VIII: I might as well have given the minx her way in the first place.

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Connections

Spoofed in When Knights Were Cold (1923)

User Reviews

A Marion Davies Mega-Hit

This 1922 production (now restored) was at the time the most expensive picture ever made. It was also a major box-office hit. Marion Davies plays Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII and intended bride of old Louis of France. But she's in love with the dashing Charles Brandon (Forrest Stanley). After Brandon is framed for murder, Mary agrees to bargain with Henry: he'll spare Brandon's life if she willingly marries old Louis. She counters that she will agree if she can choose her second husband. Henry agrees.

Mary goes off to France to marry old Louis (William Norris) but his nephew and heir (William Powell) has designs on beautiful Mary. After old Louis dies, the nephew pounces on Mary, but she escapes with Brandon's help in a race across France with an army in pursuit.

The breathtaking restoration on this film, with the original tinting scheme and digital hand-coloring restored, is a great achievement, one that lets us view this film as it was seen in 1922. The fabulous sets by Joseph Urban and costumes by Gretl Urban Thurlow make for a sumptuous film experience that enhances the exciting story of medieval court intrigue.

Marion Davies is nothing short of superb as Mary Tudor. She is willful, impetuous, determined, and throws herself into the role of the princess who, at one point, masquerades as a boy in an attempt to escape the English court of Henry. Forrest Stanley is a suitable Brandon, Lyn Harding is impressive as Henry. William Norris is terrific as old Louis. William Powell is appropriately oily as the king's nephew. Johnny Dooley plays the court jester who has an important scene.

Others include Ruth Shepley as Jane, Theresa Maxwell Conover as Queen Catherine, Flora Finch as a lady of the French court, Ernest Glendinning as Caskoden, Pedro de Cordoba as Buckingham, Arthur Forrest as Wolsey, Gustv von Seyffertitz as the soothsayer, Paul Panzer as captain of the guards, and William Kent as the court tailor. Nicely directed by Robert Vignola.

This is first and foremost a Marion Davies film, and she is spectacular. This new restoration (July 2107) is a must-see film for all fans of Davies in particular and silent films in general.