The Beggar Maid (film)

The Beggar Maid
Directed by	Herbert Blaché
Produced by	Lejaran A. Hiller Isaac Wolpe
Written by	Reginald Denny
Based on	Tennyson poem and Sir Edward Brune-Jones painting
Starring	Reginald Denny Mary Astor
Cinematography	Lejaran A. Hiller
Production company	Triart Picture Company
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures Corporation
Release dates	September 1921
Running time	2 reels
Country	United States
Language	Silent

The Beggar Maid is a 1921 American drama silent film based on the Tennyson poem of The King and the Beggar-maid and the painting of the scene by Sir Edward Brune-Jones.^[1] The feature was directed by Herbert Blaché and stars Reginald Denny and Mary Astor.^[2]

Plot

This short film is the story of the youthful, idealistic Earl of Winston: an aristocrat who is hopelessly in love with the title character. She's the orphaned daughter of one of the Earls gardeners, who dutifully tends to her sick brother. Because of their different backgrounds, the Earl is unsure that a marriage will result in happiness. Will true love prevail?

Cast

• Reginald Denny as The Earl of Winston
• Mary Astor as the Beggar Maid

Background

King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid - Edward Burne-Jones

The poem by Tennyson and the painting by Burne-Jones which were the inspiration for the film:

Her arms across her breast she laid;
 She was more fair than words can say;
 Barefooted came the beggar maid
 Before the king Cophetua.
 In robe and crown the king stept down,
 To meet and greet her on her way;
'It is no wonder,' said the lords,
'She is more beautiful than day.'

As shines the moon in clouded skies,
 She in her poor attire was seen;
 One praised her ankles, one her eyes,
 One her dark hair and lovesome mien.
 So sweet a face, such angel grace,
 In all that land had never been.
 Cophetua sware a royal oath:
'This beggar maid shall be my queen!'

by Lord Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)

References

1. "Critics Commend 'Beggar Maid' as Shown at Rivoli". Exhibitors Trade Review 10 (19): 1319. October 1921.
2. "The Beggar Maid". Silent Era. Retrieved March 6, 2015.

External links

• The Beggar Maid at the Internet Movie Database