Object: Alimony
Ruth Butler, a clerk in an emporium, marries Jimmy Rutledge and thereby greatly displeases his mother, the owner of the emporium, because of Ruth's lowly origins. Renaud Graham, one of Mrs. Rutledge's friends, becomes interested in Ruth, forces his way into her apartment, and attempts to make violent love to her. Jimmy walks in on their embrace and, suspecting the worst, leaves Ruth. In the family way, Ruth finds refuge in a boardinghouse where she meets Al Bryant, an aspiring writer. Ruth tells Al her life story, and he makes it into a bestselling novel and then into a play. Jimmy sees the play and comes to his senses, winning Ruth's forgiveness.
Insights
Plot Summary
This silent drama tells the story of a wealthy man who divorces his wife and remarries, only to find himself entangled in a web of deceit and blackmail related to his alimony payments. The narrative explores themes of betrayal, societal pressures, and the consequences of one's actions in the late 1920s.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1928, contemporary critical reception is difficult to ascertain with modern metrics. However, films of this era often focused on melodramatic storytelling and emotional performances, which were generally appreciated by audiences at the time. Its release signifies a period of transition in filmmaking with the advent of sound on the horizon.
What Reviewers Say
- Silent dramas of this era often featured strong emotional arcs.
- The film likely reflected societal views on marriage and divorce in the late 1920s.
- As a lost film, its specific artistic merits are not widely documented.
Google audience: Information regarding Google user reviews for this film is unavailable due to its age and status as a lost film.
Fun Fact
Object: Alimony is now considered a lost film, meaning no known copies exist in any film archives. Its story is primarily known through contemporary synopses and reviews.
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