Jump to content

Prince of Tempters

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prince of Tempters
Theatrical poster held by Federation University Historical Collection
Directed byLothar Mendes
Written byPaul Bern
Based onThe Ex-Duke
by E. Phillips Oppenheim
Produced byRobert Kane
Starring
CinematographyErnest Haller
Production
company
Robert Kane Productions
Distributed byFirst National Pictures
Release date
  • October 17, 1926 (1926-10-17)
Running time
82 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Prince of Tempters is a 1926 American silent romance film directed by Lothar Mendes and starring Lois Moran, Ben Lyon, and Lya De Putti. It is based on the 1924 novel The Ex-Duke by the British writer E. Phillips Oppenheim.[1]

Plot

[edit]

While in Italy, the Duke of Chatsfield clandestinely marries a peasant woman, and they have a son named Francis. After the parents pass away following their separation, Francis is raised in a monastery. Upon reaching the age of 20, Francis takes his final vows. Meanwhile, his uncle, a duke, discovers that Francis is the rightful heir to the dukedom. With a dispensation granted by the Pope, Francis assumes the title. In London, Mario, a destitute novice posing as Baron Giordano, seeks to wed Monica, Francis' attractive cousin. To eliminate his competition, Mario recruits Dolores, his former lover, to entrap Francis. Despite falling prey to Dolores' tactics, Francis falls in love with Monica during a visit to his relatives, and they become engaged. However, Monica breaks off the engagement upon learning of Dolores' affections for Francis. Disheartened, Francis returns to London and engages in a series of flirtations. Upon discovering Monica's acceptance of Mario's proposal, Francis returns to the monastery. Dolores reveals Mario's deceit to Monica before taking her own life, leading to the reconciliation of the lovers.

Cast

[edit]
Still with Lya De Putti.

Production

[edit]

The film was made at the Cosmopolitan Studios in New York. It was the first film made in America by the German director Lothar Mendes, who married Dorothy Mackaill while working on the production.[2]

Preservation

[edit]

A copy of this film is held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.[3]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Koszarski, Richard. Hollywood on the Hudson: Film and Television in New York from Griffith to Sarnoff. Rutgers University Press, 2008.
[edit]