D.W. Griffith's DRUMS OF LOVE ('28) Lionel Barrymore, Mary Philbin, Don Alvarado

Description

V
intage original 11x14 in. US lobby card
from the 1920's silent film drama/romance,
DRUMS OF LOVE
, released in 1928 by United Artists and
directed by D.W. Griffith
.
A princess (Mary Philbin) is betrothed to a deformed monarch (Lionel Barrymore), but falls hard for his handsome brother (Don Alvarado). The cast includes
Tully Marshall, William Austin, Eugenie Besserer, Charles Hill Mailes, Rosemary Cooper, and Joyce Coad.
The image is from the wedding scene between beautiful Princess Emanuella (
Mary Philbin
) and the elder Duke Cathos de Avlia (
Lionel Barrymore
), as she stares at her betrothed with mixed emotions while the Duke's handsome younger brother, Count Leonardo de Alvia (
Don Alvarado
), the man she is truly in love with, watches without any emotion from behind his brother. The color tints on this set of lobby cards are especially rich and vibrant and create an almost ethereal feeling. The design is complimented by a dark blue and orange crest or shield bearing the images of an eagle.
The film's tagline states that
Drums of Love
is "D.W. Griffith's greatest picture since 'The Birth of a Nation,'" which was certainly an exaggeration and attempt by United Artist's publicity department to capitalize on Griffith's most famous success.
It is unrestored in fine- condition with a light trim (it measures approximately just under 11 x 13.5 inches) and three diagonal creases of varying sizes on the top right corner. There are no pinholes, tears, stains, or other flaws and the beautiful color tints are fresh and vibrant without any signs of fading.
D.W. Griffith is considered the most important figure in the development and history of the American cinema and
Drums of Love
was made near the end of the great director's career.