The Married Virgin
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| The Married Virgin (Frivolous Wives) |
|
|---|---|
| Directed by | Joseph Maxwell (as Joe Maxwell) |
| Produced by | Maxwell Productions |
| Written by | Hayden Talbot |
| Starring | Rudolph Valentino (as Rodolfo di Valentini) Vera Sisson Frank Newburg Kathleen Kirkham Edward Jobson Lillian Leighton |
| Music by | Brian Benison (new score 2000) |
| Distributed by | General Film Co. |
| Release date(s) | December 1918 (USA general release) |
| Running time | 71 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | Silent film English intertitles |
| IMDb profile | |
The Married Virgin (also known as Frivolous Wives) is a 1918 silent film starring Vera Sisson, Kathleen Kirkham and Rudolph Valentino. During the early part of his career, Valentino was often cast as a villain or "heavy," his part in The Married Virgin reflects this typecasting.
The Internet Movie Database indicates that the movie premiered in December 1918 and was re-released as Frivolous Wives in 1920. However, other sources state that the film was not released at all until 1922, after Valentino had become a star (and that the film was renamed to capitalize on the success of Erich Von Stroheim's 1922 film Foolish Wives).
The Married Virgin has survived, has been screened at film festivals, and has been made available to the public on both VHS and DVD.
[edit] Synopsis
Mary McMillan (Sisson) is the daughter of tycoon John McMillan (Jobson). She is deeply in love with Douglas McKee (Newburg), a promising young lawyer. Mary's dour "evil stepmother", Ethel (Kirkham) is carrying on an affair with the diabolical Count Roberto di San Fraccini (Valentino).
John McMillan is wracked with guilt over his involvement in a violent skirmish, in which a man was killed. While McMillan was not responsible for the murder, he did fire a weapon in the scuffle, and fears he could be implicated. He keeps the gun he used locked away in a safe in his office.
Ethel knows the secret, and shares it with Roberto. They arrange to have the weapon stolen from the office and extort McMillan for money for its safe and quiet return. McMillan meets with Roberto, but refuses his demands for money.
The lovers move on to Plan B, which involves the virtuous Mary. They plot to force Mary to marry Roberto, and use the dowry to escape to Argentina together. Mary is understandably reluctant to go along with the plan, but eventually acquiesces to save her father from a life sentence in prison. She writes to Douglas, calling off their engagement, sadly marries Roberto and retires to an unhappy existence in her home.
Roberto, at first, promises to stay away from Mary until she comes to him of her own free will. Eventually, when it is apparent Mary wants nothing to do with him, he attempts to break into her room and rape her. She is saved only through the intervention of the kindly family servant, Annie (Leighton).
Ethel grows increasingly jealous of the attention, albeit unwanted, that Mary is receiving from Roberto. On a drive through the hills, she brandishes a bottle of poison and threatens to use it unless Roberto takes the next boat to South America with her. Roberto attempts to take the bottle away from her, a struggle ensues, and the car loses control and tumbles off a cliff, killing Ethel.
Meanwhile, Douglas works tirelessly to clear McMillan and save Mary. He meets with Roberto, who agrees to permanently leave, dowry money in hand. He and Mary have a happy reconciliation.
Eventually, McMillan is completely exonerated. Mary's marriage to Roberto is annulled because it was never consummated, and she is free to marry Douglas.
[edit] Cast (in credits order)
- Vera Sisson ... Mary McMillan
- Rudolph Valentino ... Count Roberto di San Fraccini (as Rodolfo di Valentini)
- Frank Newburg ... Douglas McKee
- Kathleen Kirkham ... Mrs. McMillan
- Edward Jobson ... John McMillan
- Lillian Leighton ... Anne Mullins, the Maid
