Movie spotlight
The Pulse of Life
Lisetta, the daughter of a fisherman, lives with her father and brother on the island of Capri. When Serrani, an Italian who has grown wealthy in New York, visits the island, he induces Lisetta to accompany him to America. There he abandons her and she becomes a dancer in an underworld café owned by "Dago" Joe, where she meets the artist Stanford Graham, who employs her as a model. Meanwhile, Lisetta's brother Domenic comes to New York to avenge his sister's dishonor.
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Plot Summary
A beautiful young woman finds herself in a perilous situation when she is forced into a marriage with a wealthy but cruel man. She soon discovers that he is involved in a dangerous criminal enterprise. Facing mounting danger and societal pressures, she must find a way to escape her gilded cage and expose his illicit activities before it's too late.
Critical Reception
As an early silent film, "The Pulse of Life" received moderate attention for its melodramatic plot and the performance of its lead actress. Contemporary reviews often highlighted its suspenseful elements and moralistic undertones, typical of films from the era. Audience reception is difficult to gauge with certainty due to the limited record-keeping of the time, but it was considered a competently made drama.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its suspenseful narrative and moral themes.
The lead performance was frequently noted as a strong point.
Considered a well-crafted melodrama for its time.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this 1917 silent film is not available.
Fun Fact
Alice Joyce, who starred as the female lead, was a prominent actress during the silent film era and often played sophisticated heroines.
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