Romola – Silent (1924)

Description

Romola is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Henry King and shot on location in Italy. The film stars Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish, William Powell, and Ronald Colman, and is based on the 1863 George Eliot novel of the same name.

This was the second film in which Henry King directed Lillian Gish and Ronald Colman for Inspiration Films, an independent production company that chiefly consisted of King, and Charles Duell, and stars Lillian Gish and Richard Barthelmess.

Plot
As described in a review in a film magazine, a boat approaching Italy is set upon by pirates, and Baldassaro, a noted scholar, gives his adopted son Tito a ring that will be a passport with all men of learning. Tito escapes but Baldassaro is captured. Tito reaches Florence at the time that the people incited by the priest, Savonarola, has risen and cast out their ruler, Piero de Medici. Accidentally he aids Bardi, a blind man and noted scholar and is received with honors, finally winning consent to his marriage to his daughter Romola who loves Carlo, an artist. Through the aid of Spini, an adventurer who has become the real power behind the government, Tito rises to the post of chief magistrate. In the meantime he flirts with Tessa, a peasant girl, going through a mock marriage during a carnival, which is very real to Tessa, so he installs her in a house. A child is born to them. Tito shows his real nature when he sells the priceless books of Bardi, and Romola leaves him. He issues a decree that means death to Savonarola, but his ambition overleaps itself and he is chased by the mob. Jumping into the river, he meets death by drowning at the hands of Baldassaro, whom he has refused to recognize. Romola meets Tessa and befriends her, and finally finds happiness with Carlo who has remained faithful to her.

Cast:

• Lillian Gish as Romola
• Dorothy Gish as Tessa
• William Powell as Tito Melema (credited as William H. Powell)
• Ronald Colman as Carlo Bucellini
• Charles Willis Lane as Baldassar Calvo
• Herbert Grimwood as Girolamo Savonarola
• Bonaventura Ibáñez as Bardo Bardi
• Frank Puglia as Adolfo Spini
• Amelia Summerville as Brigida
• Tina Ceccaci Renaldi as Monna Ghita
• Eduilio Mucci as Nello
• Angela Scatigna as Bratti
• Ugo Uccellini as Bishop of Nemours
• Alfredo Martinelli as Captain of the Barque
• Attilo Deodati as Tomaso