A Russian countess, a torpedo, and 50 minutes of silent chaos—1917 cinema hits different.
A young Russian woman escapes persecution in her country and makes her way to the United States. Shortly after her arrival she meets an American millionaire, John Colton.
Acting
Jeanne Eagels before she became THE Jeanne Eagels.
Production
They really said 'torpedo' in 1917 and meant it.
Director
Émile Chautard
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released the same year as the actual Russian Revolution, this was peak 'exotic refugee' fantasy for American audiences terrified of Bolsheviks but horny for aristocrats.
Émile Chautard was a French director who fled to Hollywood and spent his career making exactly this kind of breathless immigrant melodrama—art imitating life imitating art.
US
