Movie spotlight
The Millionaire's Double
After his wife has run off with another man, New Yorker Bide Bennington decides to stay in Europe. After hearing of his wife's death years later, he returns home but finds it lonely there and heads West. While he is gone his house is robbed, and the leader of the crooks, Richard Glendo, leaves Bennington's coat and identification on an East River pier. The newspapers pick up on this and announce Bennington's "suicide." Since he is now officially deceased, Bennington decides to start life all over again -- but first he must foil a scheme by a gang of con artists, who have forced pretty Constance Brent to pose as Bennington's widow so that they can lay claim to his estate.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy young man, eager to experience life away from his privileged background, attempts to live anonymously. He falls in love with a woman who believes him to be penniless. However, complications arise when his true identity is threatened with exposure, potentially jeopardizing his newfound romance and his own sense of self.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1917, specific critical reviews are scarce and difficult to access. However, films of this era often focused on melodrama and romance, with performances and narrative clarity being key elements. Its stars, Lillian Gish and Harold Lockwood, were popular, suggesting audience appeal.
What Reviewers Say
Films of this era relied on strong emotional performances.
The romantic entanglement was a common and popular theme.
Narrative clarity and visual storytelling were paramount.
Google audience: Information on audience reception for this specific film is not readily available in modern databases. However, the popularity of its lead actors suggests it was likely well-received by audiences of its time.
Fun Fact
This film was part of the early era of American cinema, a time when film studios were rapidly evolving and storytelling techniques were still being refined, with stars like Lillian Gish becoming some of the first major cinematic icons.
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