The House of Mirth (1918 film)
| The House of Mirth | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Albert Capellani |
| Produced by | Metro Pictures Corporation |
| Written by | Albert Capellani & June Mathis (screenplay) |
| Based on |
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton |
| Starring |
Katherine Harris Barrymore Henry Kolker Christine Mayo |
| Cinematography | Eugene Gaudio |
| Distributed by | Metro Pictures Corporation |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 6 reels (1719.07 m)\ 60/70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The House of Mirth is a 1918 American silent melodrama film directed by French film director Albert Capellani, starring Katherine Harris Barrymore as Lily Bart.[1] It is a cinema adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1905 novel The House of Mirth and the first ever cinema adaptation of any of her work. With its survival status classified as unknown,[2] it is considered to be a lost film.
Plot
Socialite but penniless orphan Lily Bart is living with her wealthy aunt who insists that she takes upon herself a rich husband. Balking at this idea and remaining faithful to her impecunious sweetheart Lawrence Selden (Henry Kolker), Lily is desirous of maintaining her luxurious lifestyle: she accepts the financial "favors" of some married millionaires but refuses to surrender her virtue in return – until she discovers that her sainted Selden has been fooling around with another man's wife.
Cast
- Katherine Harris Barrymore as Lily Bart
- Henry Kolker as Lawrence Selden
- Christine Mayo as Bertha Trenor-Dorset
- Joseph Kilgour as Augustus Trenor-Dorset
- Edward Abeles as Simon Rosedale
- W. D. Fisher as Ned Silverton
- Lottie Briscoe as Gertie Farish
- Pauline Welsh as Nettie Struthers
- Maggie Western as Mrs. Haffen
- Nellie Parker-Spaulding as Mrs. Penniston
- Sidney Bracy as Percy Gryce
- Kempton Greene as Jeff Wade
- Morgan Jones as Butler
Reception
Like many American films of the time, The House of Mirth was subject to restrictions and cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors required cuts, in Reel 1, of the woman in silhouette behind veil, Reel 3, the intertitle "You know how you can repay me", Reel 4, the two intertitles "You're willing enough to take favors" etc. and "Now I want value received", and, Reel 6, the two intertitles "Now that society has accepted me, of course, I cannot marry you" and "If you only will be sensible".[3]
References
- ↑ Marshall, Scott. "Edith Wharton on Film and Television: A History and Filmography." Edith Wharton Review (1996): 15–25. Washington State University. 15 Jan. 2009
- ↑ Progressive Silent Film List: The House of Mirth at silentera.com
- ↑ "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald (New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company) 7 (10): 36. August 31, 1918.