Foolish Wives (1922) is an American drama silent film written and directed by Erich von Stroheim. Although not credited on the screen, the motion picture was produced by Irving Thalberg, who would go on to become one of the sharpest studio heads of all time at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The drama features von Stroheim, Rudolph Christians, Miss DuPont, Maude George, and others.[1]
When released in 1922, the film was the most expensive film made at that time. Originally, von Stroheim intended for the film to run anywhere between 6 and 10 hours, but the studio heads were quite opposed to his idea, as such, they cut the final product drastically before the release date.[2]
In 2008, Foolish Wives was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Plot
The silent drama tells the story of a man who names himself Count Wladislaw Sergius Karamzin (von Stroheim) in order to seduce rich women and extort money from them, especially those who are ignorant enough to let themselves be seduced by him.
He has set up shop in Monte Carlo and his partners in crime (and possible lovers) are his cousins: faux-Princess Vera Petchnikoff (Busch) and faux-Her Highness Olga Petchnikoff (George).
Count Karamzin begins his latest scam on the wife of an American envoy, Helen Hughes (George), even though her husband is near by.
Cast
- Rudolph Christians as Andrew J. Hughes, U.S. Special-Envoy to Monaco
- Miss DuPont as Helen Hughes, his wife
- Maude George as Her Highness Olga Petchnikoff
- Mae Busch as Princess Vera Petchnikoff
- Erich von Stroheim as Their Cousin, Count Wladislaw Sergius Karamzin (Russian Captain of Hussars)
- Dale Fuller as Maruschka, a Maid
- Al Edmundsen as Pavel Pavlich, a Butler
- Cesare Gravina as Cesare Ventucci, a Counterfeiter
- Malvina Polo as Marietta, his half-witted daughter
- C.J. Allen as Albert I, Prince of Monaco
Background
The film began director von Stroheim's reputation as a "manic perfectionist," a huge money spender, and as a director that needed to be brought under control. During filming, the costs for the film soared. While the budget was slated at $250,000, according to von Stroheim, it ended at $750,000. At the end, Universal Studio, estimated the costs at $1,225,000. During the production, Carl Laemmle, the head of Universal, appointed 20-year-old Irving Thalberg as head of the studio. Right away the new studio chief started clashing with von Stroheim, whom he considered a spendthrift.[3]
The producers had censorship problems with the New York Motion Picture Censorship Commission. Not only did the Commission order specific cuts in the film, but they requested that all advertising be submitted for their review. Carl Laemmle denied to the press that they complied with any specific request from the Commission. Instead, he said the cuts were made due to the film's excessive length.[4]
Actor Rudolph Christians died on February 7, 1921 from pneumonia during production, and his part was taken over by Robert Edeson. Edeson only showed his back to the camera so as not to clash with shot footage of Christians that was still to be used in the completed film.[5]
Critical reception
Count Karamzin (von Stroheim) seduces Helen Hughes (DuPont).
When released, the staff at Variety magazine, in their review of the film, concentrated on the film's expensive costs and von Stroheim involvement. They wrote, "According to the Universal's press department, the picture cost $1,103,736.38; was 11 months and six days in filming; six months in assembling and editing; consumed 320,000 feet of negative, and employed as many as 15,000 extras for atmosphere. Foolish Wives shows the cost - in the sets, beautiful backgrounds and massive interiors that carry a complete suggestion of the atmosphere of Monte Carlo, the locale of the story. And the sets, together with a thoroughly capable cast, are about all the picture has for all the heavy dough expended. Obviously intended to be a sensational sex melodrama, Foolish Wives is at the same time frankly salacious...Erich von Stroheim wrote the script, directed, and is the featured player. He's all over the lot every minute."[6]
More recently, film critic Ed Gonzalez discussed the film and wrote, "1922's Foolish Wives begins with the perfect iris shot. This is no ordinary 'fade into' effect, but an entrancing reinforcement of the sinister, insular and constrictive nature of the milieu Von Stroheim is about to introduce us to...At the time of its release, Foolish Wives was the most expensive film ever produced, and though Von Stroheim was widely considered a lavish spendthrift, his films remain triumphs of period detail."[7]
Critic Keith Phipps wrote of the film, "Foolish Wives re-creates Monte Carlo in a Hollywood back lot...Playing a fraudulent aristocrat, in a touch that echoed his own biography, Von Stroheim dupes the gullible, lusts after a retarded teenager, and attempts to undo an innocent American. It's like a Henry James novel as dreamt by a pornographer, and it illustrates what makes Von Stroheim such a problematic genius: Is it nascent post-modernism or egotism run amok that made him prominently feature a character reading a novel called Foolish Wives, credited to Erich Von Stroheim?"[8]
References
- ^ Foolish Wives at the Internet Movie Database.
- ^ Gonzalez, Ed. Slant Magazine, film review, 2004. Last accessed: February 19, 2008.
- ^ Ciment, Michel. Film References, film analysis, 2008.
- ^ The New York Times. Article, "Change, Foolish Wives," January 19, 1922. Last accessed: February 19, 2008.
- ^ Rudolph Christians at the Internet Movie Database.
- ^ Variety. Film reviews, 1922. Last accessed: February 19, 2008.
- ^ Gonzalez, Ed. ibid.
- ^ Phipps, Keith. The A.V. Club, film CD/film review, July 8, 2003. Last accessed: February 19, 2008.
External links
