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242:, Leofric, has imposed a heavy tax on the residents, many of whom are on the verge of starvation. They appeal for help from the caring noblewoman Lady Godiva, who is the wife of Leofric. On the people's behalf, she pleads with her husband to revoke the tax and relieve their suffering. Leofric, who quickly grows weary of her pleas, decides to test his wife's sincerity and her resolve by promising to rescind the tax if she will ride naked on horseback through the streets of the town. Godiva accepts the condition despite the prospect of such a public humiliation.
253:, Thomas, cannot resist the temptation to see Godiva fully unclothed. Cutting a small hole into a closed shutter at his house, he peeks at her riding by and is instantly struck blind. Forever after known as "Peeping Tom", the tailor for his transgression suffers divine retribution, resulting in his eyes being "shrivell'd into darkness in his head". Lady Godiva, her task now done, returns home, where her husband honors their agreement and promptly announces to a cheering crowd that he is repealing the hated tax.
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remaining "within your homes two hours at mid day", shutting all doors and windows, and adding "Let no eye look out." At the appointed time, Lady Godiva slowly rides through the streets, with only her long hair, extending from her head "to her knee", partially covering her bare body. All the townspeople but one dutifully follow their lady's instructions to stay indoors and to avoid observing her as she passes. Only the town's
556:. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1987, pp. 46-47. According to this reference, a full 1000-foot reel of film in the silent era had a maximum running time of 15 minutes. Silent-film speeds did vary, but they were usually projected at a speed of 16 frames per second, much slower than the 24 frames of later sound films.
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Tennyson's poem refers to "that grim Earl" with "And loathed to see them overtaxe'd". The rest of
Vitagraph's intertitles are laced with additional wording from Tennyson, such as "She told him of their tears, And pray'd him", "from a heart as rough as Esau's hand", and "'Ride you naked thro' the town, And I repeal '".
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Promotion in 1911 of "the most famous bareback ride in history" relied on the most sensational aspect of the Godiva story: nudity. If, however, some theatergoers hoped to get a glimpse of a nude or even partially clad Julia Swayne Gordon, they were no doubt disappointed. Scenes during the filming of
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Surviving copies of the film may not be identical in length to the original theatrical release of 1911. If they do reflect the full theatrical cut, their running lengths are far shorter than the "1000 feet" reported by
Vitagraph. In fact, every one of 30 Vitagraph films released between September 23
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Before riding through
Coventry, the lady instructs her attendants to post in town a proclamation in which she expresses her love for the people and to end the tax for them she explains, "To save you, I must ride thro' the town unclothed". Her proclamation also asks all residents to support her by
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shows that
Vitagraph's version of the legend is clearly adapted from Tennyson's work and even includes terminology and phrasing drawn verbatim from his poem. The film's lead intertitle, for example, states, "'Godiva, wife of that grim Earl, loved the people well And loathed to see them taxed.'"
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The story of Lady Godiva will be depicted by the
Vitagraph Company, who, with its usual good judgement and marvelous facilities, will produce a portrayal that will not only be valuable as a matter of general information and rare attractiveness, but the subject will be extremely picturesque and
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neighborhood of
Brooklyn. The medieval legend of Lady Godiva, which is the basis of the film, has been cited in historical accounts as early as 1307, more than 250 years after the noblewoman made her famous ride. That event also inspired numerous poetical works over the centuries, including
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were carefully choreographed to minimize any screen perspectives that would allow a full and open viewing of Godiva riding through
Coventry; and, in any case, Gordon was never nude during her performance; she wore a full neck-to-foot body stocking, one known in the entertainment trade as a
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The story of the noble
Countess of Coventry, who by riding through the city unclothed saved the people from a grievous tax, is widely known. Tennyson's poem on her sacrifice has furnished the scenario for this picture, which is a very fine piece of art and picture-craft, full of spiritual
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Vitagraph's decision to release the film in late
October may have been linked to an anticipated increase in the public's interest in the historical character Lady Godiva, an interest connected to media coverage of a stage adaptation of her story that would open on
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and
November 3, 1911—are advertised as productions of 1000 feet. Unlike some other studios, Vitagraph in this period did not report individual lengths of its films; instead, the company used 1000- and 2000-foot measurements to identify its releases simply as
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Numerous digitized copies of this film survive, although it is unverified whether any of these extant copies represent the full theatrical cut released by Vitagraph in October 1911. Some copies of
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Vitagraph by 1911 was regularly completing five films a week at its Brooklyn studio, a breakneck pace in production that Director J. Stuart Blackton likely maintained by shooting
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399:"living-picture suit". At the end of the ride, however, Godiva is filmed from behind as she dismounts, giving one momentary view of her bare back, buttocks, and legs.
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The film continued to be popular and successful in drawing large audiences. Three weeks after the production's release, the motion-picture reviewer for
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dazzlingly beautiful in its every detail, introducing to our notice quaint streets, manners, customs and costumes of the people of the eleventh century.
607:(Chicago), January 7, 1911, p. 9; an illustration in an article titled "The Vitagraph Plant and Personnel". Internet Archive. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
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646:, full transcription of poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson; The Literature Network (Canada and The Netherlands), Jalic Inc. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
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Historical Newspaper, Ann Arbor, Michigan; subscription access through The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library.
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describes the production as artful in its interpretation of Tennyson's work and emotionally effective in its spiritual tone:
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786:, Progressive Silent Film List, Carl Bennett and the Silent Era Company, State of Washington, Retrieved June 25, 2020.
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significance. The impression it makes is distinctly human and tender. The audience seemed to be clearly moved by it.
439:, the film proved to be successful during the final quarter of 1911. In its November 4 issue, the trade publication
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and two-reelers. The running length of a 9.5-minute film in 1911 measured closer to 633 feet.
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As early as mid-July 1911—three months before the film's actual release, the New York-based
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to protest and abolish an oppressive tax imposed on that town's residents by her husband,
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684:(Brooklyn, New York), February 1912, p. 150. Internet Archive. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
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noblewoman rode naked—covered only by her long hair—through the streets of
543:(New York, N.Y.), October 14, 1911, p. 138. Internet Archive. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
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and was scheduled to tour the United States for months after its New York premiere.
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Direct transcription of text from intertitle in a copy of the original 1911 film.
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762:(New York, N.Y.), November 11, 1911, p. 28. HathiTrust. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
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704:, Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, pp. 132, 135–136,
350:" located near the intersection of East 15th Street and Locust Avenue in the
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696:"Lady Godiva on Film: Icon of Faith, Icon of Feminism or Erotic Simulacrum"
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625:(Brooklyn, New York), June 12, 1912, p. 152. The University consortium
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in November 1911. That play, written and directed by British dramatist
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744:, November 4, 1911, p. 379. Internet Archive. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
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in the title role with a supporting cast including Robert Maillard,
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The film was produced in New York City at Vitagraph's plant and "
577:(New York, N.Y.), July 15, 1911, p. 49. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
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It is the year 1040 in the town of Coventry, England. The local
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Digital Library, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
537:"Calendar of Licensed Releases / SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21st, 1911"
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Medieval Women on Film: Essays on Gender, Cinema and History
462:"drew a packed house at the Lyceum " in Cleveland, Ohio.
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1121:Films based on works by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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111:Motion Picture Distributors and Sales Company
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617:"Answers to Inquiries/G. W. B. Sherbrooke"
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658:"Lady Godiva Heroine of Parker's Play",
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380:reported Vitagraph's plans to produce
338:Vitagraph's yard (behind wall) where
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1091:Films directed by J. Stuart Blackton
516:over a day or two in September 1911.
435:In both critical reviews and at the
384:and predicted it would be a success:
144:9.5 minutes (approximately 633 feet)
601:"The New Vitagraph Plant, Brooklyn"
1116:Cultural depictions of Lady Godiva
411:Ten Vitagraph releases, including
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681:The Motion Picture Story Magazine
622:The Motion Picture Story Magazine
325:Stanley Dunn as Coventry resident
1126:Surviving American silent films
1076:American historical drama films
1025:Lady Godiva: Back in the Saddle
363:in 1840. Wording in the film's
322:Harry Ward as Coventry resident
1081:American black-and-white films
1007:Lady Godiva in popular culture
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1106:Films set in the 11th century
1086:American silent feature films
39:) on horse and with servant (
1071:1910s historical drama films
698:, in Harty, Kevin J. (ed.),
662:, November 22, 1911, p. 13.
466:Surviving copies of the film
307:as Coventry resident praying
1136:Silent American drama films
1111:Films shot in New York City
738:"'Lady Godiva' (Vitagraph)"
694:Gorgievski, Sandra (2020),
274:Play film; runtime 00:09:29
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478:, all of which are in the
359:" written by British poet
204:Godiva, Countess of Mercia
124:October 21, 1911
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742:The Moving Picture World
574:The Moving Picture World
541:The Moving Picture World
441:The Moving Picture World
377:The Moving Picture World
202:incident in the life of
1018:Lady Godiva Rides Again
990:Lady Godiva's Operation
902:Lady Godiva of Coventry
862:Leofric, Earl of Mercia
759:The Moving Picture News
676:"Miss Hazel, New Haven"
455:The Moving Picture News
216:Leofric, Earl of Mercia
956:The Seven Lady Godivas
868:Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia
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813:at moviessilently.com
415:, October 16–28, 1911
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403:Release and reception
361:Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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180:historical drama film
72:Alfred, Lord Tennyson
1131:1910s American films
1096:Films set in England
784:"Lady Godiva (1911)"
725:The Lady of Coventry
319:as Coventry resident
313:as Coventry resident
311:Alfred Hollingsworth
305:Clara Kimball Young
281:Julia Swayne Gordon
220:Julia Swayne Gordon
175:is a 1911 American
82:Julia Swayne Gordon
37:Julia Swayne Gordon
660:The New York Times
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192:Brooklyn, New York
184:J. Stuart Blackton
101:Brooklyn, New York
53:J. Stuart Blackton
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1039:The Godiva Affair
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711:978-1-4766-6844-4
569:"Vitagraph Notes"
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382:Lady Godiva
365:intertitles
348:studio yard
340:Lady Godiva
317:James Young
208:Anglo-Saxon
172:Lady Godiva
162:intertitles
49:Directed by
24:Lady Godiva
1066:1911 films
1060:Categories
921:Variations
627:HathiTrust
524:References
437:box office
342:was filmed
330:Production
296:Kate Price
228:Kate Price
128:1911-10-21
89:Production
59:Written by
41:Kate Price
951:" (poem)
936:painting)
864:(husband)
300:attendant
248:lecherous
200:legendary
91:companies
16:1911 film
992:" (1968)
985:" (1966)
967:(statue)
664:ProQuest
644:"Godiva"
422:Broadway
212:Coventry
196:scenario
157:Language
78:Starring
35:Godiva (
944:(opera)
941:Isabeau
934:Collier
476:YouTube
352:Midwood
149:Country
126: (
959:(book)
949:Godiva
913:(2008)
905:(1955)
897:(1921)
889:(1911)
855:Family
811:Stills
708:
357:Godiva
251:tailor
226:, and
194:. Its
177:silent
68:Godiva
1000:Other
975:Songs
870:(son)
486:Notes
70:" by
878:Film
806:IMDb
706:ISBN
501:one-
257:Cast
240:lord
234:Plot
804:at
190:in
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
