The Eternal Temptress

The Eternal Temptress is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Émile Chautard and written by Fred de Gresac and Eve Unsell. The film stars Lina Cavalieri, Elliott Dexter, Mildred Conselman, Alan Hale, Sr., Edward Fielding, and Hallen Mostyn. The film was released on December 9, 1917, by Paramount Pictures.[1][2]

The Eternal Temptress
Still with Alan Hale, Lina Cavalieri, and Elliott Dexter
Directed byÉmile Chautard
Screenplay byFred de Gresac
Eve Unsell
StarringLina Cavalieri
Elliott Dexter
Mildred Conselman
Alan Hale, Sr.
Edward Fielding
Hallen Mostyn
CinematographyJacques Bizeul (fr)
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • December 9, 1917 (1917-12-09)
Running time
50 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

As described in a film magazine,[3] Harry Althrop (Dexter), a young American, is in love with Princess Cordelia (Cavalieri) and when he finds his funds are getting low he forges the signature of Thomas Lawton (Laffey), the American ambassador and a close friend of his father, to a check so that he might buy the beautiful Italian princess some jewelry. Count Rudolph Frizel (Hale) of Austria, anxious to obtain information concerning Italy's stand in an approaching war, threatens to expose Harry unless he provides the documents from the American embassy. It turns out that the specific documents are readily available with the ambassador, and Harry picks them up and gives them to the Count. This act is discovered by the ambassador and Harry is brought to trial. Cordelia learning of Harry's predicament, goes to Count Frizel and kills him to obtain the documents. The documents are then returned to the embassy, and Harry is released. Cordelia returns home, takes poison and dies in her lovers arms. The film ends with Cordelia on her bier.

Cast
  • Lina Cavalieri as Princess Cordelia
  • Elliott Dexter as Harry Althrop
  • Mildred Conselman as Angela
  • Alan Hale, Sr. as Count Rudolph Frizel
  • Edward Fielding as Prince Estezary
  • Hallen Mostyn as Colonel Althrop
  • James Laffey as Ambassador Thomas Lawton
  • Pierre De Matteis as Boggslov
  • Peter Barbierre as Jeweler

Reception

Like many American films of the time, The Eternal Temptress was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required, in Reel 5, a cut of a closeup of choking the young woman and her taking the poison.[4]

References
  1. "The-Eternal-Temptress - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  2. "The Eternal Temptress (1917) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  3. "Reviews: The Eternal Temptress". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 6 (3): 28. January 12, 1918.
  4. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (4): 31. January 19, 1918.


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