The Affairs of Anatol (1921)

Writers:

Arthur Schnitzler (suggested by play of the same name)
Jeanie Macpherson (written by)

Release Date:

25 September 1921 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Socialite Anatol Spencer seeks a better relation that he has with his wife. He sets up the friend of...

Plot Keywords:

Photograph | Nurse | Nightclub | Suicide Attempt | Morality

Cast

Wallace Reid	...	Anatol Spencer
Gloria Swanson	...	Vivian Spencer (Anatol's wife)
Wanda Hawley	...	Emilie Dixon
Theodore Roberts	...	Gordon Bronson
Elliott Dexter	...	Max Runyon
Theodore Kosloff	...	Mr. Nazzer Singh (Hindu hypnotist)
Agnes Ayres	...	Annie Elliott
Monte Blue	...	Abner Elliott
Bebe Daniels	...	Satan Synne

Also Known As:

A Prodigal Knight (UK)
Five Kisses (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:117 min (1999 alternate version)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Company:

Famous Players-Lasky Corporation

Trivia:

Arthur Schnitzler's original one-act play, "Anatol," was written in 1893. Harley Granville-Barker's English adaptation opened in New York City on 14 October 1912 with John Barrymore in the title role, and it lasted 72 performances.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the flashback sequence where Emilie is on a swing and two mirrors are set up to give repeated reflections of the action, the cameraman bending over his camera is visible a few times when the swing moves out of the way.

Quotes:

Anatol Spencer: Let's not kiss any more, dear, until after breakfast.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Don't Tell Everything (1921)

Tempted by the Fruit of Another

Wallace Reid (as Anatol Spencer) is a wealthy newlywed who is oddly attracted to various women other than his wife - specifically: Wanda Hawley (as Emilie), Agnes Ayres (as Annie), and Bebe Daniels (as Satan Synne!). Gloria Swanson (as Vivian) is the wife who seems to develop a roving eye of her own as the running time progresses. BUT, are "The Affairs of Anatol" really affairs, or just a series of titillating temptations?

DeMille's work with mirrors is on display, with the director inserting a skeleton image of Mr. Reid in one scene. Reid was a very big star when this film was released (one of the most popular actors in the world); and, though this isn't really representative, it's nice to see him. Of the leading ladies, I enjoyed Ms. Ayres over the others, because her simple scenes with Monte Blue seem so ORDINARY when contrasted with the rest of the goings-on.

DeMille's unlikely mix of titillation, religiosity, and heavy-handed message is obviously in full flower. While there are no performances for the ages, the scenes with Swanson being hypnotized by Theodore Kosloff are fun. Elliott Dexter (as Max Runyon) is the film's best supporting actor; keep a sharp eye on his closing scenes as he'll reveal, through his performance, the affair you might not have been expecting…

****** The Affairs of Anatol (1921) Cecil B. DeMille ~ Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson, Bebe Daniels