The Private Life Of Helen Of Troy, Golden Apple Trophy

original production material

This epic First National film came at the end of the silent period and was nominated for an Acadmy Award. Unfortunately, two thirds of the film is lost, but from stills and posters we can see it boasted huge sets, a giant Trojan Horse and lots of sexy plot. It was advertised for that last quality to modern audiences as shown by the leering cartoon characters on the poster's borders. In the framework of the story, there is a beauty contest among the gods that Paris must decide who is the most beautiful. The winner receives a Golden Apple. Aphrodite, Athena and Artemis all vie for the title and promptly disrobe for Paris and one by one offer him a bribe based on their powers. Aphrodite, as goddess of love, offers him the heart of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, and thus starts the Trojan War. To promote the film, First National had a beauty contest offering this Golden Apple of gilt bronze weighing 9 pounds and engraved with the title and presented by the film's star Maria Corda. Possibly, as it was done after the film was made, it is the original prop from the film. There are no makers mark or foundry stamp on the piece.