The Gilded Lily (1921 film)

The Gilded Lily
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Z. Leonard
Screenplay by	Clara Beranger Tom McNamara
Produced by	Adolph Zukor Robert Z. Leonard
Starring	Mae Murray Lowell Sherman Jason Robards, Sr. Charles K. Gerrard Leonora von Ottinger
Cinematography	Ernest Haller
Production company	Famous Players–Lasky Corporation
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	March 6, 1921 (1921-03-06)
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

The Gilded Lily is a surviving 1921 American silent drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and written by Clara Beranger and Tom McNamara. The film stars Mae Murray, Lowell Sherman, Jason Robards, Sr., Charles K. Gerrard, and Leonora von Ottinger. The film was released on March 6, 1921, by Paramount Pictures. ^{[1] [2]}

Plot

A young man from the country goes to a big city where he falls in love with a showgirl. She then decides to give up her profession to become a housewife, and he decides to leave her. ^[3]

Cast

• Mae Murray as Lillian Drake
• Lowell Sherman as Creighton Howard
• Jason Robards, Sr. as Frank Thompson
• Charles K. Gerrard as John Stewart
• Leonora von Ottinger as Mrs. Thompson

Production

The opening scene with Mae Murray wearing a gold tinsel cloth costume in front of a deep blue background was shot using the Prizma color system. ^{[4] [5]}

Censorship

Initially, The Gilded Lily was rejected in it's entirety by the Kansas Board of Review, but was approved for release after numerous eliminations. ^[6]

Preservation status

A print survives in Museo del Cine Buenos Aires, Pablo C. Ducros Hicken archive. ^{[7] [8]}

References

1. Janiss Garza (2016). "The-Gilded-Lily - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
2. "The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Gilded Lily". AFI. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
3. The Gilded Lily (1921) - IMDb , retrieved November 6, 2019
4. "Use Prizma Color in Paramount Feature: Process is Incorporated in Mae Murray Vehicle, Gilded Lily". Exhibitors Herald. 12 (2). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 59. January 8, 1921.
5. "Showmanship Suggestions in the Stills". Exhibitors Herald. 12 (7). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 48. February 12, 1921.
6. "Kansas Board of Review Movie Index - Kansas Historical Society". www.kansashistory.gov. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
7. "The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Gilded Lily". memory.loc.gov. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
8. Progressive Silent Film List: The Gilded Lily at silentera.com

External links

• The Gilded Lily at IMDb