A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate (1923)

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writer:

Charles Chaplin (writer)

Release Date:

25 February 1924 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Marie St. Clair believes she has been jilted by her artist fiance Jean when he fails to meet her at the railway station...

Plot Keywords:

Broken Home | Telephone | Jealousy | High Society | Boyfriend Girlfriend Relationship

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Edna Purviance	...	Marie St. Clair
Clarence Geldart	...	Marie's Father (as Clarence Geldert)
Carl Miller	...	Jean Millet
Lydia Knott	...	Jean's Mother
Charles K. French	...	Jean's Father (as Charles French)
Adolphe Menjou	...	Pierre Revel
Betty Morrissey	...	Fifi
Malvina Polo	...	Paulette

Runtime:

84 min | USA:93 min (original version)

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (1978 re-release) | Silent

Certification:

Germany:o.Al. | Argentina:Atp | Spain:T | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (re-rating)

Filming Locations:

Chaplin Studios - 1416 N. La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Charles Chaplin Productions

Trivia:

Charles Chaplin conceived this film to help Edna Purviance's career independent of him. However, while the film did boost Adolphe Menjou's career considerably, it did little for hers.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin (2003)

I'm giving this an 8 despite its many faults

Marie St. Clair (Edna Purviance) is running away to Paris with boyfriend Jean Millet (Carl Miller). Unfortunately his father dies and he can't go. She goes alone. A year later she is a "kept" woman of rich Pierre revel (Adolphe Menjou). Then, by accident, she runs into Jean who has moved to Paris with his mother. She still loves him...but will he want her now? There are some huge problems with this film. For one thing--the overbearing music score that director/writer Charlie Chaplin added in 1977. It's loud, annoying and obtrusive. Often it doesn't even match what's on the screen! Cheerful music playing during dramatic sequences totally destroy any effect those scenes might have held. Also the plot is just ridiculous and very corny and VERY melodramatic at the end.

I'm giving this a high rating for a few reasons: it's beautifully directed by Chaplin--just stunning to look at. And, despite the plot, all the actors are just fantastic. Miller is handsome, strong and very affecting as the hero. Purviance is just perfect as Marie--you feel all her pain and indecision. Best of all is Menjou--this made him an instant star. He's just great as the heartless Revel.

So, I recommend it. Just turn the sound off and the acting will carry you over the rough spots.