Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall (film)
| Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall | |
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Theatrical poster
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| Directed by |
Marshall Neilan Mary Pickford (uncredited) |
| Produced by | Mary Pickford |
| Written by | Waldemar Young |
| Based on |
Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall by Charles Major |
| Starring | Mary Pickford |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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135 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language |
Silent film English intertitles |
| Budget | $750,000 |
| Box office | $900,000 |
Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall is a 1924 silent historical drama directed by Marshall Neilan. The film is based upon the 1902 novel Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall.
In May 1550 two houses were to be united by the betrothal of the son of Rutland and the heiress of Haddon Hall. Sir George Vernon is forfeit to Rutland on his daughter's 18th birthday, for ten of his thirty manors lying adjacent to Rutland. His daughter Dorothy and John Manners are forced to marry each other on their 18th birthday, but they can't stand each other. John is in France with Mary Stuart and George intents to use this as a way for Dorothy to be able to marry her cousin Malcolm Vernon.
On her 18th birthday, Malcolm comes over from Scotland for the wedding, while Dorothy has seconds thoughts about marrying someone she has never met. George is demanded by the Rutland men to forfeit for Dorothy not marrying John. Dorothy is charmed when she meets Malcolm and tells him she has no intention in marrying John. She doesn't know Malcolm really is John and when he reveals himself, she is shocked and insulted. She informs her father, while the real Malcolm shows up as well. Dorothy has to point out John, but fears John will be killed and points out Malcolm. John has the time to run away, while Malcolm is revealed to not be John.
Mary Stuart is ordered to England when her ring is found. John has to get her from Scotland, but is afraid Queen Elizabeth will find out. Dorothy has fallen in love with John and meets him several times in the forest and at the castle in disguise. Dorothy tells him she wants for them to elope, but John convinces her to wait. When George catches Dorothy and John together, he is outraged. Malcolm comes in to kill John, but Dorothy stops him and John flees.
John has taken Mary into his home for refuge. George has become wealthy and invites Queen Elizabeh to the wedding. Queen Elizabeth accepts, but orders everyone who assists Mary to be beheaded. Dorothy feels she is a prisoner in her own home and writes John a letter about wanting to elope with him. George gets his hands on the letter and orders John to be hanged. She attempts to escape, but gets caught and imprisoned.
Dorothy agrees to marry Malcolm if John won't be hanged. On her wedding day, Dorothy finds out her father lied to her about hanging John and seeks revenge. She orders her maid Jennie to pursue John to rescue Dorothy. When Jennie arrives at the Rutland Castle, she catches Mary in John's arms and hurries back to Haddon Hall to tell Dorothy. Dorothy is outraged and informs Queen Elizabeth about Mary's whereabouts. Queen Elizabeth announces she will behead the earl of Rutland and John for treason and orders Malcolm and his troops to arrest him. Dorothy feels sorry for John, but isn't able to stop the queen.
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