The Merry Widow (1925)

The Merry Widow (1925)

„The Merry Widow” is a 1925 silent film drama directed by Erich von Stroheim who also wrote the screenplay together with Benjamin Glazer, based on the 1905 operetta „Die lustige Witwe“ by Franz Lehár. The libretto was written by Victor Léon and Leo Stein after Henri Meilhac’s comedy „L’attaché d’ambassade“ from 1861.

American film adaptation of the operetta of the same name by Franz Lehár. The production was overshadowed by violent disagreements between the director Erich von Stroheim and the producer Irving Thalbach, who had already dismissed him as director once before. Stroheim had to change the ending to a happy ending against his will, but this probably contributed significantly to the commercial success of the silent film. There are also reports of heated arguments between Stroheim and his leading actress Mae Murray.

Cast:

• Mae Murray – Sally, The Merry Widow
• John Gilbert – Prince Danilo
• Roy D’Arcy – Crown Prince Mirko
• Josephine Crowell – Queen Milena
• George Fawcett – King Nikita
• Tully Marshall – Baron Sadoja
• Edward Connelly – Ambassador
• Joan Crawford – Ballroom Dancer
• Clark Gable – Ballroom Dancer
• Irene – Ballroom Dancer
• Walter Plunkett – Ballroom Dancer
• Ellinor Vanderveer – Ballroom Dancer
• Merewyn Thayer – Baroness Popoff
• Carolynne Snowden – Black Dancer
• Anielka Elter – Blindfolded Musician
• Bernard Berger – Boy
• Oscar Rudolph – Boy
• Helen Howard – Chorus Girl
• Louise Hughes – Chorus Girl
• Anna Maynard – Chorus Girl
• Beatrice O’Brien – Chorus Girl
• Albert Conti – Danilo’s Adjutant
• Wilhelm von Brincken – Danilo’s Aide-de-camp
• Sidney Bracey – Danilo’s Footman
• George Nichols – Doorkeeper
• Edna Tichenor – Dopey Marie
• Charles Margolis – Flo Epstein
• Eugene Pouyet – Francois
• Estelle Clark – French Barber
• Zalla Zarana – Frenchie Christine
• Zack Williams – George Washington White
• Frances Primm – Hansen Sister
• Clara Wallacks – Hansen Sister
• Gertrude Bennett – Hard-Boiled Virginia
• D’Arcy Corrigan – Horatio
• Hughie Mack – Innkeeper
• Lucille Van Lent – Innkeeper’s Daughter
• Ida Moore – Innkeeper’s Wife
• Harvey Karels – Jimmy Watson
• Jacqueline Gadsdon – Madonna
• Rolfe Sedan – Maxim’s Waiter
• Don Ryan – Mirko’s Adjutant
• Xavier Cugat – Orchestra Leader
• Dale Fuller – Sadoja’s Chambermaid
• Lon Poff – Sadoja’s Lackey