''A Lady of Quality'' is a 1924 American silent

historical drama film A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romances, adventure films, and sw ...

directed by

Hobart Henley Hobart Henley (born Hess Manassah Henle; November 23, 1887 – May 22, 1964) was an American silent film actor, director, screenwriter and producer. He was involved in over 60 films either as an actor or director or both in his twenty-year career ...

and starring Virginia Valli. Produced and distributed by

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

, it was based on the 1896 novel '' A Lady of Quality'' by

Frances Hodgson Burnett Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett (24 November 1849 – 29 October 1924) was a British-American novelist and playwright. She is best known for the three children's novels ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' (published in 1885–1886), '' A Little ...

. Previous adaptations include the film '' A Lady of Quality'' (1913).

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, Clorinda Wildairs (Valli), brought up as a man as her father had no son, is headstrong, impulsive, unconventional, and fiery. Her contempt for men in any role other than that of sporting pals is dissipated by Sir John Oxen (Foxe), a young blood whose disdain breaks down her barrier and results in winning her affection and trust. Oxen turns out to be an unscrupulous and trifling cad who jilts the almost heart-broken Clorinda. Five years later, with her father dead, Clorinda has become the toast of London and engaged to Gerald Mertoun, Duke of Osmonde (Sills). Together with the forces of the Duke of Buckingham, the Duke has won the Queen's favor with a victory in Flanders. Oxen appears and threatens to compromise Clorinda, jeopardizing her happiness and future. When he makes unwanted advances towards Clorinda, she kills her former betrayer in a tempestuous rage. For days she lives in constant dread lest her deed be discovered. When her sister accidentally happens upon her secret, she connives to aid her in escaping the harsh penalties of the times. Clorinda has the room containing the murdered man's corpse sealed up, never to be disturbed, and flees from London. Her sister informs the Duke of Osmonde of his fiancee's hiding spot, and he joins her, promising that no harm will come to her, that his love will guard and protect her.

Cast

Preservation

With no prints of ''A Lady of Quality'' held by any film archives,The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: ''A Lady of Quality''
/ref> it is a

lost film A lost film is a feature Feature may refer to: Computing * Feature (CAD), could be a hole, pocket, or notch * Feature (computer vision), could be an edge, corner or blob * Feature (software design) is an intentional distinguishing char ...

References

External links

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Still
at silenthollywood.com 1924 films American silent feature films Films directed by Hobart Henley Lost American films Universal Pictures films Films based on American novels Films based on British novels Films based on works by Frances Hodgson Burnett American black-and-white films Films set in London 1920s historical drama films American historical drama films Lost drama films 1924 lost films 1924 drama films 1920s American films Silent American drama films {{1920s-silent-drama-film-stub