Enchantment | 1921 | Romantic Comedy Drama
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Title: Enchantment | 1921 | Romantic Comedy Drama
Director: Robert G. Vignola
Studio: Cosmopolitan Productions / Paramount Pictures
Starring: Marion Davies, Forrest Stanley, Edith Shayne, Tom Lewis, Arthur Rankin, Corinne Barker, Maude Turner Gordon
Based on: Short story “Manhandling Ethel” by Frank Ramsey Adams
Release Date: October 30 1921 (New York premiere); November 20 1921 (wide)
Runtime: Approximately 90 minutes
Format: Silent black and white with English intertitles
Country: United States
Language: Silent
Genres: Romantic Comedy Drama
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Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction to Ethel Hoyt and social life
00:15:00 Ethel’s father’s concern and plan
00:30:00 Ernest Eddison enters and rehearsal begins
00:45:00 Amateur production of Sleeping Beauty
01:00:00 Ethel and Ernest’s growing tension
01:15:00 Resolution and romantic turn
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Summary:
Enchantment is a 1921 American silent romantic comedy drama about Ethel Hoyt, a spoiled and headstrong young woman whose carefree flapper lifestyle worries her wealthy father. After watching a stage production of *The Taming of the Shrew*, her father enlists the help of actor Ernest Eddison, hoping his rough-edged charm will tame Ethel’s willful ways. As Ernest coaches her through rehearsals for a local amateur production, playful conflict and mutual attraction develop between them, leading to a transformation in Ethel’s outlook and a romantic resolution.
The narrative blends light-hearted social comedy with themes of personal growth and courtship, framed within striking production design that highlights the opulent world of early 1920s New York society.
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Background:
Produced by Cosmopolitan Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures, *Enchantment* was directed by Robert G. Vignola and showcased Marion Davies in a sophisticated leading role early in her career. The film features scenic design by Joseph Urban and survives in the Library of Congress archive, with modern home video releases offering restored presentations.
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Trivia:
Marion Davies plays a modern flapper, a role reflecting contemporary youth culture of the early 1920s.
The story’s scenario was written by Luther Reed based on a popular short story published in *Cosmopolitan*.
Production design for the film included elaborate set pieces by noted designer Joseph Urban.
A print of the film exists at the Library of Congress and has been issued on DVD and Blu-ray.
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Public Domain / Rights:
Original Release: October/November 1921
Original Studio / Distributor: Cosmopolitan Productions / Paramount Pictures
Copyright Status: Public Domain
Renewal: Unknown
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Hashtags:
#Enchantment1921 #MarionDavies #SilentFilm #RomanticComedy #ClassicCinema #ParamountPictures #PublicDomain