A 50-minute opera of bad decisions and worse fiancés — 1915 edition.
Recently arrived from Paris to live with her friend Marie Cora meets artist George Garnier who Marie models for. George and Cora fall in love despite the fact he is engaged to wealthy Helen Van Brooks. Discovering the engagement Cora leaves and embarks on a hugely successful operatic career. Years pass until George, having cut ties with Helen, visits Cora again and restates his love. Helen, though she loves Carl Wilson, still wants George entreats Cora to leave him alone. Saddened Cora allows her admirer Jose to become too familiar; he attacks her and in the ensuing tussle falls to his death. Once all is clarified Helen elopes with Carl leaving Cora and George to at last have their happy ending.
Production
Lost for over a century — surviving stills suggest lush operatic staging.
Writing
Compresses a decade of plot twists into 50 breathless minutes.
Director
Edwin Carewe
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
One of countless 'lost films' from the silent era — more than 75% of pre-1930 American features no longer survive.
Director Edwin Carewe cast himself as the romantic lead opposite his future wife Emily Stevens; they divorced three years later.
US
