Camille (1921 film)
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| Camille | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ray C. Smallwood |
| Produced by | Metro Pictures Corporation |
| Written by | Alexandre Dumas, fils June Mathis(adaptation) |
| Starring | Rudolph Valentino Alla Nazimova Rex Cherryman Alexander Hoyt Patsy Ruth Miller |
| Distributed by | Metro Pictures Corporation |
| Release date(s) | September 26, 1921 (USA general release) |
| Running time | 70 minutes (contemporary edit) |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | Silent English intertitles |
| IMDb profile | |
Camille is a 1921 silent film starring Rudolph Valentino and Alla Nazimova. It is one of numerous screen adaptations of La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils.
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[edit] Synopsis
A young law student, Armand (Valentino) becomes smitten with a courtesan, Marguerite (Nazimova). Marguerite is constantly surrounded by suitors, whom she entertains at her lavish apartment. She also has consumption and is frequently beset by bouts of illness.
Armand sees Marguerite at the opera and, later, pursues her when he attends one of her private parties. She rejects his advances at first, but eventually returns his affection.
The two live happily together until Armand's father, seeking to protect his family's reputation, convinces Marguerite to end the relationship. She finally relents and runs away to a wealthy client, leaving a note for Armand.
When Armand finds the note he is shattered. The sorrow eventually turns to rage, and he decides to plunge into Parisian nightlife, associating himself with Olympe, another courtesan. When he sees Marguerite at a casino, he publicly denounces her.
Marguerite gives up her life as a courtesan and quickly finds herself in massive debt. Her illness also takes a heavy toll. Eventually, as she lays dying in bed, her furniture and belongings are repossessed. She persuades the men taking her belongings to allow her to keep her most precious possession, a book Armand gave to her.
Armand is summoned, but only arrives on the scene after Marguerite has died.
The film moves the setting of the story to 1920s Paris, and includes many lavish Art Deco sets, including that of Marguerite's apartment. Natacha Rambova, who would later become Valentino's second wife, was the movie's art director.
[edit] Cast
- Rudolph Valentino: Armand Duval
- Alla Nazimova: Marguerite Gautier
- Rex Cherryman: Gaston Rieux
- Arthur Hoyt: Count de Varville
- Zeffie Tilbury: Prudence
- Patsy Ruth Miller: Nichette
- Elinor Oliver: Nanine, Marguerite's Maid
- William Orlamond: Monsieur Duval, Armand's Father
- Consuelo Flowerton: Olympe
[edit] Trivia
- The original play opened in Paris in 1852. The first Broadway production of the play opened on 9 December 1853. There have been 15 Broadway revivals of the popular play, the last in 1935.[1]
[edit] Preservation
Camille has survived and has been made available to the public on DVD and VHS by various film distributors and independent dealers. It has also been presented on the Turner Classic Movies television channel in the United States.
[edit] External links
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