Slave of Desire
1923 film
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Slave of Desire (originally titled The Magic Skin)[3] is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by George D. Baker, produced and distributed by Goldwyn Pictures.[4][5] It was based on the novel La Peau de chagrin[a] by Honoré de Balzac, first published in 1831.[4] The Balzac novel had previously been filmed in 1909 as The Wild Ass's Skin, which was more faithful to the original novel.[6]
- Alice D. G. Miller (adaptation)
- Charles W. Whittaker (scenario)
by Honoré de Balzac
- Samuel Goldwyn
- Gilbert E. Gable
| Slave of Desire | |
|---|---|
Lobby card | |
| Directed by | George D. Baker |
| Written by |
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| Based on | La Peau de chagrin by Honoré de Balzac |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | John W. Boyle |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Goldwyn Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 7 reels; 6,673 feet[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The picture stars George Walsh, Bessie Love, and Carmel Myers. A print of the film is preserved in the collection of Cinémathèque Française.[7][8]
Plot
In Paris, when failed poet Raphael, Marquis de Valentin (Walsh) meets the glamorous Countess Fedora (Myers), who promotes Raphael as a poet. He falls in love with her, but she rejects him.
When he is about to commit suicide by jumping into the Seine, Raphael enters an antique shop where he gets a magic piece of leather that can grant wishes. As it grants wishes, the leather becomes smaller. Raphael selfishly uses the wishes for himself, but uses the final wish benevolently, which enables him to be reunited with his true love, Pauline (Love). Countess Fedora is buried under an avalanche.[2][4][9][10][11]
Cast
- George Walsh as Raphael, Marquis de Valentin
- Bessie Love as Pauline Gaudin
- Carmel Myers as Countess Fedora
- Wally Van as Restignac
- Edward Connelly as the antiquarian
- Eulalie Jensen as Mrs. Gaudin
- Herbert Prior as Mr. Gaudin
- William Orlamond as Champrose
- Nick De Ruiz as Tallifer
- William von Hardenburg as the general
- Harmon MacGregor as Emilie
- George Periolat as the duke
- Harry Lorraine as Finot
- Calvert Carter as the major domo[2][4]
Production
Slave of Desire was partially shot on location in Chatsworth, Los Angeles.[12]
