a
WARNER BROTHERS
W-B
PRODUCTION
WARNER BROS. PICTURES, INC.
and
THE VITAPHONE CORPORATION
present
Mr.
John Barrymore
as
"Don Juan"
Inspired by the Legend of the
Greatest Lover of all Ages.
PASSED BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW·COPYRIGHT MXMXXVI by WARNER BROS. PICTURES INC.
THE PLAYERS
Donna Isobel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
JANE WINTON | |
Leandro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
JOHN ROCHE | |
Cesare Borgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
WARNER OLAND | |
Lucrezia Borgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
ESTELLE TAYLOR | |
Count Giano Donati . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
MONTAGUE LOVE | |
Duke della Varnese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
JOSEPH SWICKARD | |
Pedrillo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
WILLARD LOUIS | |
Marchese Rinaldo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
NIGEL DE BRULIER | |
Marchesa Rinaldo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
HEDDA HOPPER | |
Mai, Lady in Waiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
MYRNA LOY | |
Adriana della Varnese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
MARY ASTOR | |
Don Jose de Marana Don Juan de Marana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
JOHN BARRYMORE | |
A WARNER BROTHERS
CLASSIC OF THE SCREEN
Directed by
ALAN CROSLAND
Screen Play by
BESS MEREDYTH
Musical Accompaniment to
"DON JUAN"
Played on
VITAPHONE
by
THE NEW YORK
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Passed by The National Board of Review~Copyright MCMXXVI by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
Prologue
The tale they tell of Don Juan, immortal lover and doubter of women, is bold with life and color——a merry, insolent tale slashed with intrigue——yet its beginning is as gray as the old Spanish castle of Juan's earliest memory.
Don Juan de Marana.
Don Jose de Marana—father of Don Juan.
His beautiful and beloved lady——the Donna Isobel.
From the shadows of this Gothic world strange creatures emerged—souls curiously warped with hate.
"Not long will you suffer loneliness—the King shall have his treasure, and I'll return straight to—mine."
"If you have lied—"
"I find I have left unguarded, the thing I valued most."
"In the haste of departure, the wall was left unmended."
"Think you of any reason why they should not seal the wall?"
"There is nothing of value there—now—is there?"
"Snivel, you lying wretch—you betrayer of men and the honor of men!"
"Out—before I kill you!"
"Yonder goes your mother—and with her goes my faith in women!"
In the years that followed, Don Jose kept his bitterness alive after a curiously sardonic fashion——and banquet torches flared nightly in the gaunt halls of the Marana castle.
The jealous Donna Elvira had enjoyed the unique honor of Don Jose's exclusive favor for two months—
"Is not one member of the family enough to contaminate?"
"My three-fold debt to woman is now complete—life—disillusionment—death!"
"This is my legacy to you—beware of giving your love to woman."
"Go out into the world and take their love when it please you——smile——and forget!"
THE STORY
ROME---the mighty Vatican towering heavenward above a seethe of corruption-scented velvets brushing against the plague sores of the wretched—incense—purple wine—gold—
"God help us—The Borgia!"
The Borgia tyranny over Rome and its subjects, was one of ceaseless cruelty—torturing and crushing those who opposed their regime.
Head of the House of the Crimson Bull——and the secret ruler of Rome——Cesare Borgia.
His sister—the inspiration of his vicious crimes—beauty without pity—ambition without remorse——Lucrezia Borgia.
Count Giano Donati—a kinsman of the Borgia—with a roving eye as keen as his sword.
"It is the daughter of the Duke della Varnese—a follower of our enemy, the Orsini."
"Giano dear, your little whims must be gratified. We will include the Duke and his daughter among our guests tonight."
"It is the home of Don Juan—a young Spanish grandee, lately arrived from the University of Pisa."
"He is handsome and rich, illustrious lady, and of most exquisite manners."
"And if rumor does not lie—half the fair ones of Rome have already succumbed to his charm."
"Ah, he is the one they call the great lover!"
"The great forgetful lover!"
"There might be one he could not forget."
"Only your illustrious highness would dare such a challenge."
"See that a messenger is dispatched to this Don Juan—our evening ball will be more interesting for his presence."
Don Juan's home—where innocence might enter—but never depart.
Don Juan's faithful attendant and imitator——Pedrillo.
My Juan
Accept, I pray you, this small jewel as a seal upon our love. Milord, my husband remains in Venice for another night.
Maria
Little Trusia had managed to elude her watchful uncle, the Duke Margoni—and awaited the tardy Don Juan.
"A sick friend doubtless detains him, Milady."
"A woman?"
"Madonna, you are the one love of his life."
Imperia, a famous frailty, had managed to elude her jealous admirer, the Duke Margoni.
"Why wait? It may be a matter of hours."
"Where is he? For an hour I have awaited your master in the blistering sun on the Palatine Hill!"
"A sick friend doubtless detains him, Milady."
"A woman?"
"Madonna, you are the one love of his life."
"Why wait? It may be a matter of hours."
Don Juan de Marana.
"Love lent my feet wings."
"Love lent my feet wings."
The Duchess Margoni had also managed to elude her vigilant husband, the Duke Margoni.
"You must hasten! Your uncle Margoni suspects—he is coming here!"
"Tomorrow?"
"You must hasten! Your admirer Margoni suspects—he is coming here!"
"Tomorrow?"
"Is there a woman on earth who knows just when to leave?"
"You must hasten! Your husband Margoni suspects—he is coming here!"
"Tomorrow?"
"My husband!"
"Margoni—without knowing it—served us well!"
"Pompous old ass!"
"I have been told that the Duchess, my wife, is here!"
"Do not let her see you!"
"Your lovely wife suspects your affair with Imperia—and sent you messages to bring you both here—"
"—she came herself to catch you together—I've done my poor best to protect you!"
"Splendid! Some day I may be of service to you!"
"I'm sure of it!"
"From the Borgia!"
"Borgia parchment is oftimes poisoned!"
Cesare Borgia
It is our pleasure that you present yourself this eve at the Palazzo Santa Maria—
Cesare Borgia
"What are my engagements tonight?"
Rendezvous
Wednesday.
|
Niki |
23rd hour. |
|
The glory of the Borgia——the Palazzo Santa Maria.
"The Duke della Varnese—the Lady Adriana della Varnese."
"A little flat, perhaps, but you'll console yourself with the ample figure of her father's fortune—marry her by all means, Giano."
"Why did we come, father, when we know how they hate us and all the Orsini?"
"The invitation was a command. It is death to defy the Borgia, even though it may be fatal to obey."
"My kinsman, Count Donati—a true Borgia and our closest friend."
"Inform me the instant Don Juan arrives."
"Quickly, Excellency! Her Highness awaits you!"
"If her face matches her feet—God help us both!"
"It does!"
"A bird in the hand, Pedrillo—"
"While the mistress waits—our Spaniard dallies with the maid."
"We shall see if the Lady Lucrezia's sense of humor, is equal to this occasion!"
"You are very sure of yourself—but you will believe the tale when all Rome laughs."
"We are lost, Master! Lady Lucrezia herself is coming!"
"My apologies for the wretch, gracious lady—I had hoped to improve his morals by my own example."
"May a simple Spaniard pay his respects to the illustrious flower of Europe?"
"Your beauty was known to me in Seville, Madonna."
"Your reputation is not unknown to me, Don Juan."
"Perhaps you are not aware that Donati is our best swordsman. He may resent your interest in his lady."
None so dreaded as Neri, the sorcerer, whose rare and subtle poisons were distilled in a secret room of the Borgia palace.
"A pity that the Duke della Varnese—worthy gentleman!—will suffer a heart attack before dawn."
"To commemorate the first visit of an Orsini to a Borgia—a little wine?"
"To your devastating charm!"
"Let your lips perfume the wine."
"We Borgia do not share with another."
"Let no man scorn so wise an example, sweet teacher!"
"The rose is richer by a great experience."
"We Borgia approve of cleverness in our friends—we have no clever enemies!"
"Your balcony—at midnight?"
"This Spaniard, sweet sister, is yours to win—or mine to slay!"
"In that case, dear brother—he shall live!"
"Tonight you saved my father's life—what can I do to prove my heart's gratitude?"
"You have but to name it—I pledge my word."
"Later!"
"At any time!"
Midnight.
"Highness, your Don Juan is late."
"Perhaps he stays away because of the Lady Adriana."
"Go to bed—I would sit alone awhile."
"I, too, think the Spaniard most handsome."
"Why are you here—at such an hour?"
"If I am late—a thousand pardons!"
"You promised to reward me—but perhaps you fear Donati, your swordsman friend."
"You are a charming actress, Madonna."
Days passed slowly for Juan.
"For three days at this same hour I have waited here."
"My soul has been asleep—you have awakened it—"
"You have given me a new faith—faith in the goodness of women—teach me—help me—so that I may never lose that faith again!"
"What did I tell you, milady? The chapel garden holds more allure for him than your grace's balcony."
Before night Rome was in a tumult and terror stalked with dripping sword——all this to appease the outraged vanity of a Borgia and snare a defenceless girl.
The home of the Duke della Varnese——the secret object of the Borgia's unprovoked attack on the Orsini—
"You are under arrest—as an Orsini you know your fate."
"But a Borgia is nothing if not merciful—a pardon is still possible."
"My kinsman, Count Donati, desires your daughter in marriage——consent and become our loyal follower."
"Take him to St. Angelo—and behead him!"
"What chance have we? If I refuse it means death to you—and a worse fate for me."
"My father accepts."
"It is true, Master—the Orsini are attacked without provocation—their followers killed or imprisoned in St. Angelo—and the Duke della Varnese is threatened!"
"Twice I summoned you and you ignored me—tonight I lay aside my pride and come to you."
"I am going to the Palazzo della Varnese—may I arrive in time!"
"You fool! Do you think Donati will allow any harm to come to—her?"
"Do you think for a moment that I believe you?"
"The wisest man is the easiest to deceive."
"Rome is laughing at you! When you have learned what we all knew long ago—come to me, and perhaps I shall teach you wisdom."
"No outcries if you would protect the lives in this household!"
"Adriana della Varnese is safe with her father—at the Vatican."
"If you betray me by a look or a sign—I will run this intruder through!"
"There is no one here—please go!"
"Your pardon, signor—for trespassing ever so slightly in your garden."
Rome celebrated, on a certain evening a month later, the marriage of Adriana della Varnese to the Count Donati——and drunken shouts took up the refrain of the cathedral bells.
"Close the window, you fools! Those bells are driving me mad!"
"You do not love me any more."
"Your repetition forces me to believe you."
"Get the lady's cloak."
"My husband suspects—I rushed here to warn you!"
"Help me, Juan! If he finds me out it will end everything for me—honor—happiness—my very life!"
"If my husband finds me here—I'll kill myself."
"Betrayer of women—destroyer of men's faith!"
"I call down the wrath of God upon you!"
"Hush—my lady sleeps!"
"A tragedy, gentlemen, in place of the usual comedy! The husband—as it happens—has killed his wife."
"Look—his hands drip with blood!"
"Be lenient—the man is mad."
"Will those bells never stop?"
"Not until the banquet is over and Donati escorts his bride to their nuptial chamber."
"Go—prepare yourself for the nuptials."
"The Lady Adriana defies your command."
"You are too impetuous, my Giano——a haughty bride makes a stubborn wife. She must come to you."
"Your bride is here—come and get her!"
"You must believe in me, Juan—my marriage was plotted by the Borgia. I swear I am innocent."
"Your bride is still here!"
"With your permission, sire, we fight to the death!"
"Arrest him for the murder of Count Donati!"
"Throw him into the dungeon of St. Angelo!"
"Arrest her as an accomplice in the murder of her husband!"
"Neri will be delighted. Take her to the tower."
When the gates of St. Angelo clanged shut upon a prisoner he was never heard of again——for certain death awaited him in a slimy cell below the level of the River Tiber.
LAPIS SECUNDUS
LIBERATUS EST
BLOCK SECOND
LEVEL LOOSE
"Your quarters, rash Spaniard, are none too tidy."
"They will serve, I think—for the brief time I remain here."
"Your freedom shall be a gift from me—if you are capable of appreciating it."
"I prefer the scaffold, Madame—it is less dangerous."
"Before midnight you will regret this insult to a Borgia!"
"As this is your last hour it will comfort you to know that Adriana was faithful to you. It served our purpose to have you believe otherwise."
"It will amuse to place Adriana at Neri's disposal—on the rack."
"Prepare the block—in an hour I shall return to see how a Spaniard dies."
"Thou! God is just!"
"Hell gapes wide for thee—my hands shall send thee thither!"
"I see! God's will is deeper than a river—He would have thee live, for He has shown a way—!"
"My wronged wife agonizes in hell—thou shalt not join her there!"
"Go—and begin thy living hell!"
The tower of the Borgia Palace——A room of horrors—Neri's workshop.
"Such a lovely subject should give us an amusing transformation. Prolong our diversion to the utmost!"
"Don Juan shall be disposed of—then we shall return—to watch——"
"Before us, beloved, is Spain—and happiness—"
The End
W-B
A WARNER BROTHERS
PRODUCTION
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in 1926, before the cutoff of January 1, 1929.
The longest-living author of this work died in 1936, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 87 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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