Old Wives for New
Old Wives for New

Movie spotlight

Old Wives for New

1918
Movie
72 min
English

Charles Murdock neglects his fat and lazy wife for another woman; When his other love interest becomes involved in a murder, he leaves for Paris.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Director: Cecil B. DeMilleGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A middle-aged, wealthy architect, Barkley, grows dissatisfied with his wife, who he feels has become dowdy and uninteresting. He becomes infatuated with a younger, more glamorous woman, Sonya, who he meets on a trip. Barkley eventually leaves his wife and children to pursue Sonya, embarking on a journey that explores themes of societal expectations, aging, and the pursuit of idealized love.

Critical Reception

As a product of its time, 'Old Wives for New' was a commercial success, reflecting popular tastes for melodramatic stories with clear moral lessons, though modern critical perspectives often view its themes and portrayal of gender roles as dated.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film was noted for its sensational, melodramatic plot that appealed to a wide audience.

  • Cecil B. DeMille's direction was praised for its spectacle and ability to engage viewers.

  • The exploration of marital discontent and societal pressures resonated with contemporary audiences.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not available.

Fun Fact

This film was one of Cecil B. DeMille's early successes that helped establish his reputation as a director capable of producing popular and commercially viable films.

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