Forbidden Fruit

"Forbidden Fruit" is a silent movie from Cecil B. DeMille which has a huge handicap at the onset...the IMDB summary pretty much reveals the entire plot! Hopefully, you'll see the movie without reading the summary! And, if you want to see it, check it out on YouTube.

When the story began, I noticed how gorgeous the opeing credits were. They were hand-painted and in lovely color...as are the intertitle cards throughout the film. The print also is in extremely good shape, as are quite a few of DeMille's silents which are on YouTube.

The Mallory family has a problem. Mr. Mallory is trying to wrap up a big business deal but the man with which he wants to do business with is planning on taking a trip out west. So, to convince him to stay, they promise him a lavish dinner party...complete with the perfect date for the evening. But they have a devil of a time finding anyone to fit this bill. Eventually, in desperation they get Mary Maddock, a married woman and seamstress, to be the date and pretend to be single and in society. But when Mary and the man fall for each other, this creates a problem. Mary has a husband at home...a very bad and lazy one at that who will never allow her to leave.

The story, while engaging, is very difficult to believe and the intertitles a big moralizing. But these sorts of things were not that unusual for 1921. On the psotive side, the production values are amazing for the time...well acted, directed and looking very nice. Overall, while it's not a film to change your life, it is pleasant and well worth seeing...especially if you love silents.