DRUMS OF LOVE (1928) D.W. Griffith Silent Film Lionel Barrymore & Mary Philbin

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 very good+ condition only with one vertical fold down the center of the card, otherwise is would grade much higher. There are two pinholes in the top left and top right portion of the outer borders and one pinhole near each bottom corner. Interestingly, this lobby card was folded by an orchestra member in order to store a piece of sheet music in it, as written in pencil in the top right portion of the verso is "Peace Forever March-Nielsen 6/8" and the number "402" circled in pencil. The colors are very fresh and vibrant and this lobby card looks even more beautiful in person.
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.