Merry-Go-Round | 1923 | Drama Romance

Title: Merry-Go-Round | 1923 | Drama Romance Director: Rupert Julian, Erich von Stroheim (uncredited) Studio: Universal Pictures Starring: Norman Kerry, Mary Philbin, Cesare Gravina, Edith Yorke, George Siegmann, Dale Fuller, Dorothy Wallace, Albert Conti, George Hackathorne Based on: Original story by Harvey Gates Release Date: July 1 1923 (New York premiere); widely released later in 1923 Runtime: Approximately 110–123 minutes Format: Silent black and white with English intertitles Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Drama Romance --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction in Vienna and courtly life 00:15:00 Count Franz Maxmilian’s engagement 00:30:00 Meeting Agnes the organ-grinder 00:45:00 Marriage and separation 01:00:00 World War I and battlefield scenes 01:15:00 Return, renunciation of title 01:30:00 Reunion and resolution --- Summary: Merry-Go-Round is a 1923 American silent drama film set in pre-World War I Vienna, following Count Franz Maxmilian, who reluctantly enters an arranged aristocratic marriage but falls in love with Agnes, a peasant organ-grinder, after meeting her at an amusement park. Social pressures and duty separate them, and the outbreak of war leads the remorse-stricken count to serve at the front. After the death of his aristocratic wife and the devastation of conflict, he renounces his title and reunites with Agnes to build a new life together. --- Background: The film was written by Erich von Stroheim and others, and though Stroheim directed early production, studio conflicts resulted in Rupert Julian completing direction. Universal Pictures released Merry-Go-Round as one of its “Super Jewel” productions, and the movie was a commercial success in the United States in 1923. --- Trivia: Merry-Go-Round was originally intended as a project for Erich von Stroheim, but he was replaced by Rupert Julian during production. Mary Philbin, who later starred in *The Phantom of the Opera* (1925), plays Agnes, the peasant love interest. The film recreates pre-World War I Vienna with period costumes and sets, including the use of authentic Habsburg-era props. Surviving prints of Merry-Go-Round have been released on home video, including restored editions with original color tinting. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: July 1 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: Universal Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #MerryGoRound1923 #RupertJulian #ErichvonStroheim #SilentFilm #Drama #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain