American author George Barr McCutcheon's six Graustark books (appeared 1901-1927) copy the idea of British author Anthony Hope's three Ruritania books (appeared 1894-1898). The plot of "Beverly of Graustark" (1904), the second book in the series, is even very similar to that of "The Prisoner of Zenda", the first Ruritania book. Given the large number of films based on the latter, it is not surprising that there were also two silent movies based on the Graustark version of the theme of friendly impersonation of a monarch. The first was Beverly of Graustark (1914).
Despite its light touch, the present film is so blunt in its humor that it can perhaps better be called a farce than a comedy, although that is in part due to it being silent. Marion Davies was popular in cross-dressing roles, so it is not surprising that this angle is maximally exploited. Still, it is a very effective comedy for the time and quite amusing even today.
The last 3 or 4 minutes are in black, red and white: apparently realized with an early form of Technicolor.
Despite its light touch, the present film is so blunt in its humor that it can perhaps better be called a farce than a comedy, although that is in part due to it being silent. Marion Davies was popular in cross-dressing roles, so it is not surprising that this angle is maximally exploited. Still, it is a very effective comedy for the time and quite amusing even today.
The last 3 or 4 minutes are in black, red and white: apparently realized with an early form of Technicolor.