Forbidden Fruit (film)

For works with similar titles, see Forbidden Fruit.

Jesse L. Lasky
Presents
Cecil B. DeMille's
Production
Forbidden Fruit
by Jeanie Macpherson

 

A Famous Players-Lasky Super-Production
Copyright—1920.
Famous Players-Lasky Corporation

Produced by
Cecil B. DeMille

Photographed by
Alvin Wyckoff
and
Karl Struss

 

Production Manager
Howard Higgin

What does "For better—for worse" mean to you?

Does "Worse" include a selfish, lazy Husband who lives like a parasite on his Wife's energy and loyalty?

 

Do you think a Wife has the right to turn from this Man, to a strong, efficient Mate—whose love can raise her out of the depths?

Or should she drag on "Till Death us do Part"?

Mrs. James Harrington Mallory, otherwise Mrs. "Fix-it"—who has still to learn that in taking the reins from Destiny, one always risks a Runaway.

 

Kathlyn Williams

Mrs. JamesThe Host

"The new Butler, Madam."

Giuseppe—
by vocation a Butler, who has served, not only the best families in New York, but two years in Sing Sing.

 

Theodore Kosloff.

Burglar Alarm

James Harrington Mallory—who has two hobbies in life: his Oil Interests and his Wife.

 

Theodore Roberts

But Mallory needs just one link to complete his biggest oil merger—and this "link" is Nelson Rogers, a Young Man who Thinks for Himself.

 

Forrest Stanley

"I'd be interested in the merger, Mr. Mallory, if I had more time to go into it—but I'm leaving today for the West."

"For Heavens sake, Grace, help me out! I could land him, if I could keep him here—but he's going West today!"

"Leave it to me! There's one bait that will catch any fish—a pretty woman!"

Mr. Davis

Mr.

Mr. Rogers

"I'm giving the cosiest little dinner tonight, Mr. Rogers—and I've absolutely counted on you!"

Miss Reeves

 

Mr. Rogers

 

Mrs Hanson

"Please don't spoil my party—especially as I promised the Prettiest Girl in New York that she should be your dinner partner!"

"I'll stay—if you promise me that your American Beauty has no thorns!"

Mary Maddock, a little Seamstress; whose experience with matrimony has been so little for "better"—and so much for "worse," that she is obliged to do mending, and other odd jobs, at fashionable uptown houses, to support her shiftless Husband and Herself.

 

Agnes Ayres

Steve Maddock, her husband; who has slid gradually down Life's ladder—until his principal labor, is waiting for Mary to return from work to get his supper.

 

Clarence Burton

But the ways of the Fates are strange—and on this particular Night, Steve's evening meal is peculiarly delayed.

"The lady you are seating next to Mr. Rogers, Madam, is phoning to say that she can't possibly be present."

"I can't possibly be at your dinner tonight, dear—my tooth has developed nerves—and I look a fright!"

"That spineless Beauty I was counting on to 'vamp' your young Oil King, can't come—and every unmarried Girl in town, has an engagement!"

"Jim—I believe that girl can do it!"

"Mary—I'm short one pretty girl for my dinner tonight: suppose I play fairy-godmother to you—and turn you into 'Cinderella'!"

"Throw off your worries just for tonight, Mary—and trust your Fairy-Godmother. You'll be gowned by 'Poiret'—perfumed by 'Coty'—jewelled by 'Tiffany'—think how Cinderella would envy you!"

"My Sisters have gone to the Great Ball—but no shabby clothes are wanted there—so I must stay at home!"

"But remember to return before 12 o'clock strikes—when the Dream Gown will turn back into rags—and the glistening Pearls into Cinders!"

"But my train is so long—how shall I carry it?"

"Phone 'Celeste'—tell her to open her shop and send me her best selection of gowns, lingerie, slippers, stockings, gloves and fans: Size 36—a 2½ shoe—and one hour to do it in!"

"It'll never work! She'll probably use the wrong fork—and drink out of the finger-bowl!"

Clothes may, or may not, make the Man—but they go a long way toward making the Woman.

"You ought to be wearing a number Nine!"

"Keep an eye on my jewels!"

The most perfect Lie in the World, is the Face of a Hostess. It is an impenetrable Mask—behind which Tragedy and Comedy stalk unseen.

"If the 'Prettiest Girl in New York' doesn't show up pretty soon—I'm going to sue you for damages!"

"You don't suppose do you, Jim, that that Girl has lost her nerve—and run away?"

"Allow me to introduce my very dear friend—Miss Natalie Webb of Washington."

"Dinner is served."

End of Part Two.

Part Three.

Forbidden Fruit

 

"Adam" would never have eaten—if "Eve" had not been a feast for the eye!

Miss Webb

Mr. Rogers

"Orchids are very like you lovely super-civilized women—who know so little of Life's knocks, or bruises!"

"Engaged—?"

But Orchids fade—and even an Enchanted Night must end.

"May I see you home?"

"I shall keep you here a prisoner—until you promise to let me see you home!"

"You can't very well see her home, Mr. Rogers—she's spending the night here!"

"At least you'll give me your address, so that I may write to you."

	46762
G	3763	.40
	50525	.40

 

Change to Operating Exp —

 

Freight	471	.620
Fuel	1122	.05	TMP
Sal.	9684	.05	76
Total	155223	.0

 

360

5

 

	6435
	2239
To Over Head	8614	-2

 

3 / 760

253.3

 

	6391	60
	5600	—
	200
To GL Acct	6449	.60
	5101	Ex.
	1348	.60  Prof.

 

$.	1540
	416
	782
	2738

 

$	50.000
	39 124
$	10876	—
	@ 6%
Int	652.56

 

Tho

"It's time I took the first train for home!"

"You mustn't think of leaving, Mr. Rogers—Miss Webb and I have counted on you for a week-end party!"

"Home, Sweet Home."

"I was late on account of night work—but I got $20.⁰⁰ for it!"

"Night work, eh!"

"I've stood it as long as I can, Steve! Since you won't support yourself—and insult me for supporting you, I'm going to leave!"

"You married me 'for Better, for Worse'! If I'd make a million, you wouldn't kick—so don't whine because I've struck a little hard luck!"

"Haven't I always loved you, Mary—and been true to you? You wouldn't leave a man when he's down and out, would you?"

It's a long cry from Orchids to Wash-tubs—from Silken Gowns to Gingham Aprons—from "Cinderella" to Mary Maddock.

"Can't you stop that bird's singing long enough to let me sleep?"

"My dear—I'm in a most embarassing predicament! I've told Mr. Rogers you were spending the week-end with us—and now I've got to make good!"

"I wouldn't dare!"

"Mr. Rogers will be so disappointed! And remember my phone number is Lenox 2202—if you should change your mind!"

"I thought I told you to keep that bird still!"

"Lenox—2202!"

"I've changed my mind, Mrs. Mallory! I'll come to you today—and stay as long as you want me!"

The Law provides healing for the big "wounds" of Matrimony—but none for its "scratches".

Yet a Human Being can die of Pin-Prick!

"I've got a couple of day's work—in a laundry in Jersey."

"I swear I'll have some money for you when you come back, Mary!"

The Devil is never too busy to make a new acquaintance—and is always "at home" at the Happy Hour Social Club—where Steve goes into business.

Gordon
& Co's

 

Dry Gin

 

New York

Soft Drinks Only

"I've got to get some cash—and I've got to get it quick!"

"If you want some easy money—there's a lady visiting at the house where I'm working uptown, with wonderful diamonds! I might leave a certain bedroom window open some night—and you and I might split fifty-fifty!"

"Do you think I could do it?"

Forbidden Fruit is a dangerous diet.

And after three golden days, Mary realizes that she is enmeshed in a love which she dare not accept—and cannot deny.

"I love you—and I want you to be my wife!"

Morris Marvin

Presents

Forbidden Fruit

A Drama in Three Acts
By Stanislaus Uladowsi

Cast of Characters
(In order of their appearance)

The Girl		Margaret Loomis
The Man		Conrad Nagel

"Love always hopes—where Reason would despair."

"If you don't mind, I should like to have a few moments alone with Miss Webb!"

"Does this mean that you love—someone else?"

"Tell me if you can—that you don't love me!"

There is no Enigma like a woman's Soul—and two o'clock finds Rogers with it still unsolved.

"Well, wifey—!"

"Some—laundry!"

"You, with your martyred air of virtue—and your whining about my getting honest work! Honest like this, eh!"

"You can't pull this sort of stuff with me—the law'd be on my side if I killed you!"

"Anything wrong, Mary—did you call?"

"I'm all right, Mrs. Mallory—it was just a bad dream!"

"You get some decent clothes on—and meet me out in front in five minutes!"

"Good evening!"

"To what, do we owe the honor of this visit?"

"I just came here to see—my wife!"

"I don't know him—I've never seen him before!"

"I'll take care of Natalie's jewels, Mr. Rogers!"

"You watch him—while I phone for the Police."

"You never can explain to Mr. Rogers—if you don't let him go before the police come!"

"Not that way—you've got to make it look like an escape!"

"You're not through with me yet—and I'm not through with him!"

"Before I go, I have something to say to Mr. Rogers—alone!"

"May I suggest, in future, that you utilize your charm and beauty toward reforming your husband—rather than in tempting other men!"

The Cinderellas of the Fairy Stories, may "live happily ever after"—but the Cinderellas of Life, usually "pay heavily ever after".

"Before I go, I just want you to try to understand why I did it: I had been shabby and lonely and heart-hungry for so long, that when the chance came to play 'Cinderella'—I couldn't resist!"

"And I still might have turned back before it was too late—but then 'Prince Charming' came!"

"But in my happiness, I forgot that twelve o'clock must strike for 'Cinderella'—and for me!"

End of Part Six

Part Seven

"But my Happiness has turned into Ashes—my fine Coach, into a Pumpkin—my Golden Gown, into a 'Hand-me-down'!"

"There's no law of God, or Man, which forces a Wife to stand by a Husband who offers her only degradation—and deny the man who offers her Honor and—Love!"

"If Love were all, dear, I would follow you through eternity! But there is Duty—and for Duty's sake I must return to my gusband, and give him the fighting chance!"

"Jewels—h—l! Your swell dame was my wife—and I'm looking for a gun, to get the guy that stole her!"

"Don't kill him—just 'bleed' him! If he loves your wife, make him pay—and we'll still split fifty-fifty!"

Dear Mr. Rogers,

Am in desperate

Deception is a profiteer—who exacts our last farthing!

"It all comes of trying to dress up a Chimney-Sparrow like a Peacock! I told you from the first, it wouldn't work!"

Dear Mr. Rogers,

Am in desperate trouble, and need your help. If you will bring ten thousand dollars to #7 John St. tomorrow morning we may be able to get things straightened out. Don't fail me.

Mary.

"It would be unfortunate for the Lady—if you did not come!"

"Paying the Piper."

"He's going to—pay!"

Dear Mr. Rogers,

Am in desperate trouble, and need your help. If you will bring ten thousand dollars to #7 John St. tomorrow morning we may be able to get things straightened out. Don't fail me.

Mary.

"Loving other men's wives is an expensive game, Rogers! And it'll take just ten thousand dollars, to keep the papers from printing this touching little romance!"

"I brought this money down here, Maddock, to give you the opportunity of proving to your wife, whether you're a man—or a blackguard!"

"Steve—if you take that money—I am going with him!"

"I'll give you half an hour to make up your mind—then I'm coming back, for one or the other!"

"Think what this money means to us! Instead of splitting it with that Butler—let's take it all, go somewhere else—and start over!"

"Which—are you going to take?"

"I ought to kill you—for trying to double-cross me!"

"I'll roll you the dice—for the whole ten thousand!"

"High dice wins—two out of three!"

"Did you see that—I tied him!"

"Little Woman—you've played the squarest game with your husband that a wife ever played—but Destiny has set you free!"

"Time" softens the sharp edges of the Human Experience.

And Mary finds that Life's Springtime surely comes—but only after the long Winter.

"This is the unworthy Prince—who is still seeking to find his Lady of the Slipper!"

The End