THE AFFAIRS OF ANATOL (1921)

Remembered almost exclusively for big, bigger, biggest epics (mostly historical; secular/religious), Cecil B. DeMille began with Westerns (which he continued to make) before starting a series of signature OTT upper-crust social dramedies (which he didn’t).  From the late ‘teens to the early ‘20, these silents contain much of his best work, often seasoned with slightly nutty allegorical rhymed flashbacks to show how little things had changed since ancient times.  ANATOL, one of the largest if not one of the best, served as something of a farewell to past DeMille stars (Gloria Swanson, Wallace Reid, Agnes Ayres, Bebe Daniels) and, if no flashback, particularly OTT sets & costumes from Paul Iribe, especially for Daniels who plays stage star Satan Synne.  Taken, rather loosely, from an Arthur Schintzler play about a playboy testing for tru-love, he 'tries out' three woman while on his honeymoon (in the play, he isn’t married) and is fleeced each time.  That’s really it for the story*, but DeMille loads in production value (as usual with deMille a poor substitute for style) and encourages a heightened acting that fits his purposes.  Reid & Daniels take acting honors, while brilliant cinematographer Karl Struss joins regular DeMille lenser Alvin Wyckoff in providing all sorts of opportunities for some elaborate color tinting effects.  Come 1923, Ernst Lubitsch would come to Hollywood and shortly take over these things with a humorous knowing touch and a level of cultural & visual sophistication unknown to C.B.

LINK:  Good print, if no score (provide your own!; I used Delibes ballet scores) via this link.   https://archive.org/details/silent-the-affairs-of-anatol

ATTENTION MUST BE PAID/LINK:  *DeMille’s attempt to return to the genre in 1934 with FOUR FRIGHTENED PEOPLE failed.  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2008/05/four-frightened-people-1934.html

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY:  *Or is unless you read Elliot Dexter’s platonic pal for Swanson, whom Reid grows jealous of, as gay.  In the play, he’s the guy’s BFF.