AFI CATALOG OF FEATURE FILMS

THE FIRST 100 YEARS 1893–1993

Movie Title

Human Desire (1919)

Drama | November 1919

Cast:

Anita Stewart, Conway Tearle, Robert Steele [ More ]

Director:

Wilfrid North

Producer:

Louis B. Mayer

Production Company:

Louis B. Mayer Productions; Anita Stewart Productions, Inc.
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HISTORY

This film was also known as The Human Desire. ...

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This film was also known as The Human Desire.

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SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
ETR
6 Dec 1919
p. 69
MPW
27 Dec 1919
pp. 1191-92
10 Jan 1920
p. 297
CAST
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTOR
Wilfred North
Wilfrid North
Dir
PRODUCER
Louis B. Mayer
Prod
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on the novel Human Desire by Violet Irwin (Boston, 1913).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHOR
Violet Irwin
DETAILS
Release Date:
November 1919
Production Date:

Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Associated First National Pictures Corp.
16 December 1920
LP15927
Physical Properties:
Silent
Black and White
Length(in reels):
6
Country:
United States
SYNOPSIS

Inspired by a statue of the infant Christ in the hands of the Madonna, Bernice who lives in a convent in Naples, Italy conceives of a deep passion for babies. Learning that there are infants dying of hunger and neglect in America, Bernice determines to come to their aid. Dressed as a boy, she arrives in New York where destitute, Bernice meets artist Robert Bruce who hires her to pose for a painting of the Madonna. The two fall in love until one day, during Robert's absence, his wife appears and drives Bernice into the streets. Bernice's trials finally end when Mrs. Bruce dies in an automobile accident, freeing Robert to marry his ...

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Inspired by a statue of the infant Christ in the hands of the Madonna, Bernice who lives in a convent in Naples, Italy conceives of a deep passion for babies. Learning that there are infants dying of hunger and neglect in America, Bernice determines to come to their aid. Dressed as a boy, she arrives in New York where destitute, Bernice meets artist Robert Bruce who hires her to pose for a painting of the Madonna. The two fall in love until one day, during Robert's absence, his wife appears and drives Bernice into the streets. Bernice's trials finally end when Mrs. Bruce dies in an automobile accident, freeing Robert to marry his model.

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KEEP EXPLORING
New York City, Male impersonation, Naples (Italy), Automobile accidents, Child welfare, Models, Statues, Humanitarianism, Convents, Painters (Of paintings)
The American Film Institute is grateful to Sir Paul Getty KBE and the Sir Paul Getty KBE Estate for their dedication to the art of the moving image and their support for the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and without whose support AFI would not have been able to achieve this historical landmark in this epic scholarly endeavor.