# Merry-Go-Round (film)

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Merry-Go-Round is a 1923 American drama film directed by Erich von Stroheim (uncredited) and Rupert Julian, starring Norman Kerry and Mary Philbin, and released by Universal Pictures.
Cast and Crew :
| Cast ||
| Role | Actor |
| | Norman Kerry |
| | Mary Philbin |
| | Edith Yorke |
| | Dale Fuller |
| | Cesare Gravina |
| | Albert Conti |
| | George Siegmann |
| | Maude George |
| | George Hackathorne |
| Crew ||
| Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
| Director | Erich von Stroheim (d. 1957), Rupert Julian (d. 1943) |
| Producer | Carl Laemmle (d. 1939) |
| Screenwriter | Erich von Stroheim |
| Cinematographer | William H. Daniels (d. 1970) |
| Based on available information, the latest crew member that is relevant to international copyright laws died in 1970, meaning that this film may be in the public domain in countries and jurisdictions with 53 years p.m.a. or less, as well as in the United States. ||
CARL LAEMMLE offers
MERRY-GO-ROUND
PASSED BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW
COPYRIGHT 1923 BY UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP. CARL LAEMMLE PRES.
Produced at
Universal City, Cal.
Photographed by
Charles Kaufman & William Daniels
A UNIVERSAL SUPER-JEWEL PRODUCTION
Directed by
Rupert Julian
Vienna
—old—gray—historical—
The town of joy—of gladness—and of mirth—
The town of Dukes—of Princes—and of Counts—
Here—from time immemorial had lived the family of Hohenegg—notable in the history of Austria for its statesmen and warriors—its princely wealth—its ancient escutcheon—
The last of the line—Count Franz Maximilian Von Hohenegg—Captain of Imperial and Royal Sixth Dragoons—His Majesty's Wing Adjutant and Chamberlain. Norman Kerry
SEMPERFIDELIS
Fossati
WIEN I IM ALTEN HOTEL BRIS
llona
I love you!
llona
His fiancée, Countess Gisella Von Steinbruck. Dorothy Wallace.
The Minister of War, Countess Gisella's father.
"Heard you had a glorious time last night."
"Hardly that, my dear—missed you immensely——really——"
"You missed me? When you come to see me tonight, you shall tell me about it——"
"I was just about to telephone you——impossible for me to come——duty, you know—"
"Of course, service is service——what are her colors?"
To Count Hohenegg, 'work' meant an elaborate and pompous idleness, while the court went through its daily round of empty ritual.
Emperor Francis Joseph. Anton Vaverka.
"Count Hohenegg, I am highly interested in your prospective marriage with Countess Gisella. It will be a splendid union."
"I dare say you young lovers have already decided where it shall be?"
"Then I shall take an old Emperor's privilege—it shall be during the coming month, on my esteemed Cousin Attilda's birthday."
The minister of War, occupied all day with affairs of the state, enjoyed the quiet moment after dinner with his daughter.
"Father, what official duties are occupying my fiancé's time this evening?"
"None whatever—"
"But he excused himself from calling upon me——said he was on duty——"
"Oh, yes, yes, so he is—now I recall it—quite a weighty matter—he has his hands full, my dear—"
CAFE RINGSTRASS
"You really love Count Hohenegg?"
"He is the best looking man in the Emperor's court--and he appeals to me----"
The Prater—the Coney Island of Vienna, with its giant Ferris Wheel—its conglomeration of sounds and odors—and laughter—the chestnuts were in bloom—
HUBER'S
WELTBERÜMMTES RINGELSPIEL
ZUM
„KALAFATTI“
HUBER$^{'S}$„KALAFATTI“
Schani Huber owned the big concession—Schani, who cracked the whip—and smiled—Schani Huber— George Siegmann
The little organ grinder.
Agnes Urban. Mary Philbin.
"I never expected to find anything as pretty as you—here."
"You flatter like a lieutenant——are you?"
"Would you like me better if I were?"
"I never said I liked you at all."
Marianka—Huber's wife. Dale Fuller.
"Is that your father?"
"No, but my father works for Huber too——he runs the Punch and Judy show."
HUBER$^{'s}$ KASPERL THEATER
Sylvester Urban. Cesare Gravina.
"What do you do for a living?"
"Why——I'm a——necktie salesman."
"What is your name?"
"Franz——Franz Meier—"
"But you may call me Franz—"
Mrs. Aurora Rossreiter owned the next concession—a rival of Huber—she hated him—
Bartholomew was her barker— George Hackathorne.
"This is Boniface, the famous Orang-outang, direct from the jungles of Africa."
"You go back to your concession, Huber!"
"Shut your mouth, you dirty hunchback!"
When the last merry-maker had gone—
"Please, may I go to my wife? She is sick."
"So you played the lottery again!"
"You know what I've always said—if I win, you win."
For days afterwards—when Agnes played the organ—she thought of Franz, the necktie salesman.
"Agnes, quick! Your mother! She's dying!"
"Smile——smile——!"
"I'll wait, Sylvester—I'll wait——"
"Merciful Father! Let me see my dear ones——once again——"
"And now, my friends, Count Hohenegg will do us the honor to mix the loving-cup!"
And the merry-go-round goes round—and round—and round—
"Take her along too——she is a vagrant now——because I'm through with her."
"She's no vagrant——she works for me from now on——and her father too!"
"Morning—cold—gray—unfriendly—"
⟨SCHMIDT⟩ & SOHNEJACOB ROTHBERGER
"Is this where you work?"
"Oh, yes! This is the place——I just got off."
"Do you know, I've been thinking a lot about you——how have you been since I saw you?"
"——and my father got into a fight with Huber——over me——and now he is in jail."
"I have a friend, a lady, who has influence with the Commissionaire of Police———shall we go to see her?"
Mme. ELVIRA
"She's a little friend of mine——her father is in trouble——you might use your influence with the Commissionaire."
Verlobung in der Hof Geſellſchaft.
ENGAGEMENT IN COURT CIRCLES.
"Do you play?"
"Nothing but the grind-organ——I always wanted to, but we never had the money."
"—and what kind of pieces do you like the best?"
"A waltz——sometimes in the evening a strain comes with the wind—and I could sing and laugh——and cry—"
"I didn't mean to make you sad—we must be happy! Why, the whole world is just make-believe—and we are children, dreaming—"
"You talk funny for a necktie salesman—you should have been a Prince."
"——and you are the little Princess."
"You are beautiful—"
"Have you ever loved anyone?"
"Yes, of course—my mother and my father."
"Not that—I mean the love of a woman for a man—"
"Yes—Bartholomew—the little hunchback whom you met!"
"You frighten me! You are terrible! Oh, let me go!"
"I didn't mean to offend you, but—no one ever kissed me—like that—"
"But you said——Bartholomew——"
"Why, he's just a boy friend—who has been kind to me."
"I will take you home——"
To Sylvester release came like a miracle of good fortune.
"It isn't the first time I've been told I look like this lucky fellow."
"You believe me, don't you?"
"Of course—I will believe you and trust you always—"
"No! No! It can't be! He is my good friend—a gentleman—"
"He looks enough like you to be your twin brother."
"I'll be waiting for you then, at nine."
"I know, Agnes, this young fellow is honest—but beware of the aristocrat—beware of the military man!"
A garden—warm with the soft air of spring—fragrant with blossoms—white with moonlight—
"Are you happy, Agnes?"
"I have a confession to make to you, Agnes. I am not——"
"A falling star——did you wish?"
"No—I was thinking of you—"
"You said you had a confession to make."
"I——I——love you."
After that night—when Agnes gave her happiness into his keeping—Count Hohenegg could not bear the thought of his approaching marriage.
"But I tell you I'm going to withdraw from this marriage with the Countess!"
"Impossible! On the very eve of your wedding!"
"I've been a cheat! I've broken her heart, but she loves me--and I---"
"Foolish! Think of your position at court—it would mean disgrace!"
"If I were not a Count—and she—"
"Already the Emperor has learned of your attitude!"
"I will go to the Emperor immediately!"
"What is this I hear, Count Hohenegg, you desire to withdraw from your marriage with Countess Gisella?"
"Is your memory so short that you forget your Emperor's wish?"
"It is my command!"
Agnes waited patiently for his coming—she had promised to trust him—to believe in him—
And the merry-go-round goes round—and round. Mrs. Rossreiter has a new clown—
"You got my little finger?"
"Signore Sylvestro Urbani—direct from Italy—the greatest living bajazzo—"
"Italy, hell! He used to work for me at the Punch and Judy show!"
"Poor clown."
"Don't cry, little children."
"Don't cry, little boy—"
"See, I make you laugh——"
"Do you think it was really the wind that blew the flower-pot down?"
"What is that to me?"
Sylvester's recovery was slow—Agnes was his comfort—his little sunbeam.
"Father, we are honored by a visit of the Emperor—he is here now."
"Agnes! Can it be possible that you still love this impostor?"
"Liar! Cheat! Impostor!"
"Sir—I have come to humble myself before you—"
"There is little I can say to express the remorse I feel."
"But you must believe, sir, that I deeply respect—care for—your daughter."
"——I love your daughter."
"A Count in love with a peasant girl? Bah!"
"Do you mean——that everything is all right——and we can be married?"
"The Count Hohenegg, my husband, has told me all about you."
"No! No! Your husband—it can't be!"
"It's a lie! Tell her it is a lie!—Tell her!"
"Impostor! Cheat! Liar!"
Thus stood our little world of good and evil, of innocence and guilt, of love and hate. Then—in the distant state of Bosnia—a shot was fired which touched off the powder magazine of Europe.
WAR!
The mobilization of armies—nation rising against nation—anguish of partings—
"Horrible, horrible—no sorrow is spared to me!"
"Agnes——"
"Count Hohenegg—"
"I have come again to ask your forgiveness."
"I forgive the Count—it was a necktie salesman I loved—"
"But it is Count Hohenegg, Agnes, who loves you——"
"Count Hohenegg can never be anything to me."
"I am leaving with my regiment for the front tonight——won't you say farewell?"
"We may never meet again——"
Back along the bitter road of defeat, straggled the broken remnants of the proud forces of Austria.
"Urban, is there anything I can do for you?"
"The liar!"
"I thanked God when I was called—I prayed I'd meet you face to face!"
"I hate you—and will curse you with my dying breath!"
"If my life will make amends—"
"To think—a man could go out hating me like that."
In Vienna—a little group of comrades, held together by the common bond of poverty and struggling."
"Prices went up again today——soon we cannot eat at all."
"I wish it was Spring again, so that we could go back to the Prater and open the concessions."
"Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest performance starts right now—"
"Didn't I tell you I'd win the lottery?"
"And you know what I said—if I win, you'll win——"
"Agnes dear——if you'll only have me for a husband, I'll try so hard to make you happy."
"That other one--don't think of him—he can never come back! He is—"
"I saw his name on the death list weeks ago———I wanted to tell you, but——"
"Say that I can hope——I will wait——"
"Maybe—in the Spring—"
At last the Prater shed its winter wrappings—Spring—and sunshine—and hope—
"That's right——three days, Boniface——then we'll be married, Agnes and I."
"Agnes——I have come back to you."
"I am no longer a Count——"
"But you are still married?"
"She died months ago—in Budapest."
"I have lived with the single hope that some day you could forgive—that you—"
"It wasn't so hard to forgive—I did that on the night you went to war—"
"Bartholomew and I are to be married day after tomorrow——"
"I believed you were dead—"
"Agnes! You cannot do this thing——you don't love him! And love is the only thing that counts—"
"No! No! I have promised Bartholomew—"
"Please go, sir——"
But in the merry-go-round of life—
"A greater love than ours has sent me to you——"
"——Bartholomew——"
Universal Super Jewel Produced at Universal City, Cal.
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
The longest-living author of this work died in 1957, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 66 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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