To Please One Woman (1920)
Drama | 19 December 1920
On 13 March 1920, Camera announced the cast of a film with the working title To Please One Woman. Aside from the performers credited in this record, the following actors were included: Hazel Howell, Paul Duayne, Waldo Smith, Tom Jones, George Ralston and Charles Richards. Their participation in the final film remains undetermined.
Months later, the 2 October 1920 Motion Picture News stated that writer-director Lois Weber, who was attributed with creating Hollywood’s “biggest features” of that time, had emerged from “several months’ silence” to announce a contract with the Famous Players-Lasky Corp. “to produce super-specials that will surpass anything she has ever attempted.” To Please One Woman was listed as one of two films that would be “ready for the market soon.”
The press made consistent reference to Weber’s “discovery” of actress Claire Windsor. Weber reportedly also sparked the careers of Mildred Harris and Mary MacLaren, as noted in the December 1920 Photoplay. Windsor was topped billed in the 11 December 1920 Exhibitors Herald review, which described the film as: “A Lois Weber production from an original scenario. An excellent study in character and scene contrast. A strong cast playing excellently. Luxurious settings and natural easy acting. Thoroughly interesting and highly exciting.”
To Please One Woman was the first Weber film to be released by Paramount.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of October 2019.
...
On 13 March 1920, Camera announced the cast of a film with the working title To Please One Woman. Aside from the performers credited in this record, the following actors were included: Hazel Howell, Paul Duayne, Waldo Smith, Tom Jones, George Ralston and Charles Richards. Their participation in the final film remains undetermined.
Months later, the 2 October 1920 Motion Picture News stated that writer-director Lois Weber, who was attributed with creating Hollywood’s “biggest features” of that time, had emerged from “several months’ silence” to announce a contract with the Famous Players-Lasky Corp. “to produce super-specials that will surpass anything she has ever attempted.” To Please One Woman was listed as one of two films that would be “ready for the market soon.”
The press made consistent reference to Weber’s “discovery” of actress Claire Windsor. Weber reportedly also sparked the careers of Mildred Harris and Mary MacLaren, as noted in the December 1920 Photoplay. Windsor was topped billed in the 11 December 1920 Exhibitors Herald review, which described the film as: “A Lois Weber production from an original scenario. An excellent study in character and scene contrast. A strong cast playing excellently. Luxurious settings and natural easy acting. Thoroughly interesting and highly exciting.”
To Please One Woman was the first Weber film to be released by Paramount.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of October 2019.
Upon learning of her husband's impending bankruptcy, Leila, the cold and selfish wife of a Wall Street broker, deserts her husband and takes up residency in their summer home in Seagirt. There, alone and bored, she plans to ensnare young doctor John Ransome as a pastime. Ransome is engaged to Alice Granville, "the sweetest girl in Seagirt," and to break up their romance, Leila feigns illness and sends word to the Granville home for the doctor. Bobby Granville, the youngest boy, hears the call for help and, though sick with a fever, starts out on his bicycle to get the doctor. Leila's ruse goes undetected by Dr. Ransome who becomes infatuated with her. Meanwhile, another lover appears and Leila divides her attention between them both. Leila's husband appears unexpectedly and, discovering her faithlessness, kills himself. This tragedy is followed by Bobby's death, precipitated by his excursion on Leila's behalf, which forces the doctor to realize Leila's treachery and Alice's ...
Upon learning of her husband's impending bankruptcy, Leila, the cold and selfish wife of a Wall Street broker, deserts her husband and takes up residency in their summer home in Seagirt. There, alone and bored, she plans to ensnare young doctor John Ransome as a pastime. Ransome is engaged to Alice Granville, "the sweetest girl in Seagirt," and to break up their romance, Leila feigns illness and sends word to the Granville home for the doctor. Bobby Granville, the youngest boy, hears the call for help and, though sick with a fever, starts out on his bicycle to get the doctor. Leila's ruse goes undetected by Dr. Ransome who becomes infatuated with her. Meanwhile, another lover appears and Leila divides her attention between them both. Leila's husband appears unexpectedly and, discovering her faithlessness, kills himself. This tragedy is followed by Bobby's death, precipitated by his excursion on Leila's behalf, which forces the doctor to realize Leila's treachery and Alice's purity.
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