Black Oxen
| Black Oxen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Frank Lloyd |
| Written by | Frank Lloyd Mary O'Hara |
| Produced by | Frank Lloyd |
| Starring | Corinne Griffith Conway Tearle Clara Bow |
| Cinematography | Norbert Brodine |
| Edited by | Edward M. Roskam |
| Distributed by | Associated First National Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent English intertitles |
Black Oxen is a 1923 American silent fantasy/romantic drama film starring Corinne Griffith, Conway Tearle and Clara Bow. Directed by Frank Lloyd, the film is based on the controversial and best-selling 1922 novel of the same name by Gertrude Atherton.[1]
Described as "subtle science fiction", the film takes its title from William Butler Yeats: "The years like great Black Oxen tread the world."[1] It was produced by Frank Lloyd Productions and distributed by First National Pictures. A special edition of Atherton's novel was released featuring stills from the film.
Plot
Lee Clavering (Tearle), a playwright in New York, falls in love with an Austrian countess, Madame Zatianny (Griffith). Janet Oglethorpe (Bow), an animated and precocious flapper, is also in love with Lee but he hasn't noticed yet. Unbeknownst to Lee, Madame Zatianny is actually 58 years old, and has retained her youth through a rejuvenating glandular treatment and X-ray surgery. Lee's plans to marry Madame Zatianny are thwarted when one of her former admirers reveals her embarrassing secret and, in the end, Lee discovers happiness with Janet.
Cast
- Corinne Griffith as Madame Zatianny/Mary Ogden
- Conway Tearle as Lee Clavering
- Clara Bow as Janet Ogelthorpe
- Tom Ricketts as Charles Dinwiddie
- Carmelita Geraghty as Anna Goodrich
- Tom Guise as Judge Gavin Trent
- Alan Hale as Prince Rohenhauer
- Kate Lester as Jane Ogelthorpe
- Harry Mestayer as James Ogelthorpe
- Claire McDowell as Agnes Trevor
- Lincoln Stedman as Donnie Ferris
- Ione Atkinson as Flapper
- Mila Constantin as Flapper
- Fred Gamble as Oglethorpe Butler
- Otto Lederer as Austrian Advisor
- Clarissa Selwynne as Gora Dwight
- Eric Mayne as Chancellor
- Otto Nelson as Dr. Steinach
- Hortense O'Brien as Flapper
- Wilhelm von Brincken as Aide to Prince Rohenhauer (uncredited)
- Percy Williams as Ogden Butler
Preservation status
The George Eastman House retains a print of the film which is incomplete, comprising the first seven reels, but not the eighth. In 2010, it undertook restoration of the 35mm print, funded by The National Film Preservation Fund. The Gosfilmofond Russian State Archive also holds an incomplete copy, consisting of all reels with the exception of Reel 2. A DVD The New York Public Library has a 16mm print available in three film reels.[2] A 60-minute version mastered by eBay retailer Buyers’ Gallery Video is available on DVD. No complete version of the film is currently commercially available [3]
Black Oxen is one of about ten films starring Corinne Griffith, out of 58, that are available for viewing.[4]
DVD release
Black Oxen was released on Region 0 DVD-R by Alpha Video on September 1, 2015.[5]
References
- ^ a b Woodward, Kathleen (1999). Figuring Age: Women, Bodies, Generations. Indiana University Press. p. 96. ISBN 0-253-11384-9.
- ^ Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn; Dawson, Melanie (1 January 2012). "Black oxen". Broadview Press – via catalog.nypl.org Library Catalog.
- ^ "Silent Era : Home Video Reviews".
- ^ Tim, Lussier (2004). "Corrine Griffin: The Divine Lady". silentsaregolden.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Alpha Video - Clara Bow Double Feature: My Lady of Whims (1925) (Silent) / Black Oxen (1923) (Silent)". Retrieved 24 August 2015.
External links
