La Belle Russe (1919)
Melodrama | 21 September 1919
The 26 Apr 1919 Exhibitors Herald and Motography reported that William Fox had bought the film rights to David Belasco’s 1882 play, La Belle Russe, which Regent Feature Film Co. had first adapted into a five-reel motion picture five years earlier (see entry). Charles J. Brabin, who wrote this second adaptation, was also set to direct the film “at one of the Fox studios in Fort Lee, N.J., with Theda Bara as the star.” The article stated that the price of the film rights “is said to be one of the largest ever given by a motion picture producer.” ...
The 26 Apr 1919 Exhibitors Herald and Motography reported that William Fox had bought the film rights to David Belasco’s 1882 play, La Belle Russe, which Regent Feature Film Co. had first adapted into a five-reel motion picture five years earlier (see entry). Charles J. Brabin, who wrote this second adaptation, was also set to direct the film “at one of the Fox studios in Fort Lee, N.J., with Theda Bara as the star.” The article stated that the price of the film rights “is said to be one of the largest ever given by a motion picture producer.”
Phillip Sackton’s aristocratic English family disinherits him when he marries the dancer Fleurette, so when war is declared, he enlists to earn money for Fleurette and their expected child. At the front his friend Brand tells of being shot by his jilted lover, the notorious dancer La Belle Russe, who looks like Fleurette. When Phillip is wounded behind enemy lines, news of his death reaches Fleurette, who goes to France with her baby. Lady Sackton summons them back, however, as the baby now is her sole heir. At the war’s end Brand finds Phillip in London on the verge of suicide because he cannot find Fleurette. They go to the family castle where Brand recognizes La Belle Russe. Phillip and Brand fight, but the real Fleurette appears, explaining that she had sent her twin sister to the castle with her son because she was sick. La Belle Russe, who had been hoping to take Fleurette’s place permanently, slinks out of the ...
Phillip Sackton’s aristocratic English family disinherits him when he marries the dancer Fleurette, so when war is declared, he enlists to earn money for Fleurette and their expected child. At the front his friend Brand tells of being shot by his jilted lover, the notorious dancer La Belle Russe, who looks like Fleurette. When Phillip is wounded behind enemy lines, news of his death reaches Fleurette, who goes to France with her baby. Lady Sackton summons them back, however, as the baby now is her sole heir. At the war’s end Brand finds Phillip in London on the verge of suicide because he cannot find Fleurette. They go to the family castle where Brand recognizes La Belle Russe. Phillip and Brand fight, but the real Fleurette appears, explaining that she had sent her twin sister to the castle with her son because she was sick. La Belle Russe, who had been hoping to take Fleurette’s place permanently, slinks out of the room.
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