Madame Du Barry or Du Barry is a 1917 American silent historical drama film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Theda Bara. The film is based on the French novel Memoirs d’un médecin by Alexandre Dumas.
| Madame Du Barry | |
|---|---|
 Still with Theda Bara | |
| Directed by | J. Gordon Edwards |
| Written by | Adrian Johnson |
| Based on | Memoirs d’un médecin 1848 novel by Alexandre Dumas |
| Produced by | Fox Film Corporation |
| Starring | Theda Bara Charles Clary |
| Cinematography | John W. Boyle Rial Schellinger |
| Distributed by | Fox Film Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 7 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Plot
editAs described in a film magazine,[1] Madame Jeanne Du Barry (Bara) becomes the reigning favorite of Louis XV (Clary) and enjoys this distinction until the sudden death of the king. The lavish mode of living by the king and Jeanne Du Barry arouse the wrath of the peasant class, and after the death of the king a revolution breaks out. Jeanne is made to suffer through the revolution and pays the ultimate price on the guillotine.
Cast
edit- Theda Bara as Madame Du Barry
- Charles Clary as Louis XV
- Fred Church as Cossé-Brissac
- Herschel Mayall as Jean DuBarry
- Genevieve Blinn as Duchess deGaumont
- Willard Louis as Guillaume DuBarry
- Hector Sarno as Lebel
- Dorothy Drake as Henriette
- Rosita Marstini as Mother Savord
- Joe King
Reception
editLike many American films of the time, Madame Du Barry was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required a cut of Madame Du Barry lying on the guillotine and the closeup of the blade.[2]
Preservation status
editThis film is now considered to be a lost film. Many of Theda Bara's films were destroyed in the 1937 Fox Studios vault fire.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Reviews: Du Barry". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (6). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 25. February 2, 1918.
- ^ "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (4): 31. January 19, 1918.
- ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: Du Barry". silentera.com. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
External links
edit