The Song of Songs (1918 film)
| The Song of Songs | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Joseph Kaufman |
| Produced by |
Adolph Zukor Jesse L. Lasky |
| Written by |
Hermann Sudermann (novel Das Hohelied) Edward Sheldon (play) Charles Maigne (scenario) |
| Starring | Elsie Ferguson |
| Cinematography | William Marshall |
Production company |
Famous Players-Lasky/Artcraft |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates | February 18, 1918 |
Running time | 5 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language |
Silent English intertitles |
The Song of Songs (1918) is a silent film produced by Famous Players-Lasky and based on a stage play version by Edward Sheldon of a novel by Hermann Sudermann, Das Hohelied. This picture was directed by Joseph Kaufman and stars Elsie Ferguson. This was Kaufman's last film before his death from influenza on February 1, 1918.
This film is now considered a lost film.[1][2]
The story was remade as Lily of the Dust (1924) with Pola Negri and Ben Lyon. Marlene Dietrich starred in the first sound version The Song of Songs (1933).
Cast
- Elsie Ferguson - Lily Kardos
- Frank Losee - Senator Calkins
- Crauford Kent - Dick Laird
- Cecil Fletcher - Stephen Bennett
- Gertrude Berkeley - Mrs. Kardos
- Corene Uzzell - Ann Merkle (*as Corinne Usell)
- Charles Wellesley - Mrs. Atwell
- Henry Leone - Anslem Kardos
- Robert Cummings - Phineas Bennett
- Ned Burton - ?
Plot Summary
Lily, an innocent young girl, is convinced to pose nude for a young sculptor. They fall in love, but the sculptor fears the effect of marriage on his work and neglects Lily. Ultimately, in despair, she marries a wealthy older man but does not find happiness there. Only near-tragedy and scandal are able, ironically, to bring her that happiness.