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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 243

The Merry Widow

Synopsis

A prince falls in love with a dancer, but his family rejects marriage to a commoner. When she becomes a wealthy widow, the same household changes its position. Renewed courtship now carries the weight of money, wounded pride and rival claims.

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Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified.
This copy runs
137:15
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified. No subtitle track in this language.

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Erich von Stroheim (1885–1957), Benjamin Glazer (1887–1956); YouTube – View/save archived versions on archive.org · Public domain

Cast

Behind the scenes

Erich von Stroheim's relationship with star Mae Murray was strained during the twelve-week shoot. The adaptation of the operetta brought his interest in class and desire into conflict with expectations for a prestigious studio attraction.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 12, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

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