The Evil Thereof
The Evil Thereof

Movie spotlight

The Evil Thereof

1916
Movie
50 min
English

A manicurist gives up the honest love of a barberr to become the mistress of a wealthy broker. But she comes to hate the man who has caused her downfall, and her loathing peaks during a dinner party he is holding. Other guests include three other men and their mistresses. Each young lady gets a $100 bill as a party favor, tucked away in one of the meal's several courses. The broker proudly brags about how each bill was obtained by giving the screws to the lower classes.

Insights

Director: S. Rankin DrewGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A young woman, unhappy with her arranged marriage to a wealthy older man, falls in love with a penniless artist. She attempts to escape her circumstances, leading to a dramatic confrontation with her husband. The film explores themes of love, societal expectations, and the consequences of defying them.

Critical Reception

As a silent film from 1916, specific critical reception data is scarce. However, the film was produced by the Vitagraph Company, known for its quality productions at the time, and featured emerging talent like Alice Brady and Richard Barthelmess, suggesting it was likely viewed as a competently made dramatic offering.

What Reviewers Say

  • Silent film dramas of this era often relied on strong melodramatic narratives.

  • The film likely appealed to audiences interested in romantic entanglements and social commentary.

  • Performances would have been key to conveying the emotional weight of the story without dialogue.

Google audience: Due to the film's age and lack of modern distribution, specific Google user reviews are not available. However, silent films of this genre typically garnered appreciation for their storytelling and emotional impact.

Fun Fact

Alice Brady, who plays the lead female role, was the daughter of noted stage actor William A. Brady and became a significant star in her own right in both silent and sound films, later winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for 'In Old Chicago' (1937).

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