Salomé | 1923 | Historical Drama

Title: Salomé | 1923 | Historical Drama Director: Charles Bryant, Alla Nazimova Studio: Nazimova Productions Starring: Alla Nazimova, Mitchell Lewis, Rose Dione, Nigel De Brulier, Earl Schenck, Arthur Jasmine, Frederick Peters, Louis Dumar Based on: Play *Salomé* by Oscar Wilde Release Date: 1923 Runtime: Approximately 74 minutes Format: Silent black and white Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Historical Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Opening banquet and Salomé’s introduction 00:15:00 Jokanaan’s prophecy 00:30:00 Salomé’s obsession begins 00:45:00 Dance of the Seven Veils 01:00:00 Demand for Jokanaan’s head 01:10:00 Aftermath and conclusion --- Summary: Salomé is a 1923 American silent drama adapted from Oscar Wilde’s controversial play of the same name. It centers on the impetuous Salomé, stepdaughter of Herod, who becomes infatuated with the prophet Jokanaan. When Jokanaan rejects her, Salomé persuades Herod to grant her any wish in return for her dance, leading her to demand Jokanaan’s execution. The film is celebrated for its expressionistic visuals, stylized costumes, and atmospheric design, presenting a biblical tale with heightened theatricality and dramatic intensity. --- Background: Produced by actress-producer Alla Nazimova’s own production company and directed by Charles Bryant with significant creative input from Nazimova herself, Salomé was conceived as an ambitious art film rather than a conventional Hollywood drama. Its exotic sets, avant-garde design, and dramatic performances make it an enduring example of silent-era experimentation and adaptation of Wilde’s work. --- Trivia: Salomé is often cited as one of the earliest American art films and a cult classic of queer cinema due to its bold style and reputation regarding its creative community. The film features lavish Art Nouveau-inspired costumes and sets designed to evoke the original play’s decadent aesthetic. Alla Nazimova was a major creative force behind the production, contributing to its design, performance, and overall vision. The film’s depiction of the “Dance of the Seven Veils” and its stylized visuals have continued to attract scholarly and festival interest. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: Nazimova Productions Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #Salome1923 #AllaNazimova #SilentFilm #OscarWilde #HistoricalDrama #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain