Enchantment

Synopsis: Feature film comedy. Ethel Hoyt (Davies), the only child of wealthy parents, surrounds herself with six young college men and spends her time dancing and dining with them, causing her parents to become alarmed. Ethel and her father attend a performance of The Taming of the Shrew. Mr Hoyt decides that the actor playing Petruchio (Stanley) would be just the man to tame Ethel and arranges a meeting. After they meet, a friend of Eddison’s produces The Sleeping Beauty, and he suggests Ethel for the leading role. She accepts; but at rehearsals she stubbornly insists that her boyfriends be allowed to attend. Eddison gives in, but during the action of the play, he kisses her energetically and she is indignant until he is about to leave her; then, she admits her love for him.
Country: United States
Medium: Film
Technical information: Black-and-white / Silent
Year of release: 1921
Recording date: 30 Oct 1921
Duration: 77 mins; 6982 feet

Director

Robert G. Vignola

Cinematographer

Ira H. Morgan

Screenplay

Frank R. Adams; Luther Reed

Production Design

Joseph Urban

Costume

Joseph Urban

Cast

General: Based on a short story Manhandling Ethel by Frank. R. Adams.
Stills: `The décor in this film is perhaps its greatest contribution to film history. Acknowledged as the first "modern" setting of an American film; the influence is Wiener Werkstatte rather than the later Art Deco style. The production design, meaning lighting, set and costume design and even makeup was by the dynamic Joseph Urban’ www.moviediva.com [accessed 7/2007]. It is believed that a theatre was built in the studio to accommodate the Shakespeare scenes.

British Universities Film & Video Council