''The Fascination of the Fleur de Lis'' is a 1915 American silent

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

directed by

Joe De Grasse Joseph Louis De Grasse (May 4, 1873 – May 25, 1940) was a Canadians, Canadian film director. Born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, he was the elder brother of actor Sam De Grasse. Biography Joseph De Grasse had studied and was a first-class grad ...

, written by Bess Meredyth, and featuring

Lon Chaney Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930) was an American actor. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and affli ...

and Cleo Madison. A partial print of the film apparently survives in a private collection in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

(how much footage is missing is unknown). A still exists showing Chaney in his own makeup as the Duke of Safoulrug, an excellent example of Chaney's makeup skills.

Plot

A woman is taken ill while working in the fields, and while taking her home, her husband passes the palace of the Duke of Safoulrug. There, the sickly woman sees a fleur de lis, and is fascinated with the unusual flower. When she later gives birth to a baby girl, the infant has a birthmark shaped like a fleur de lis on her shoulder. The mother dies, and fifteen years later, her daughter Lisette has also acquired her mother's strange obsession for the flower. One day while passing the Duke's palace, she demands that her sweetheart Antoine pick one of the flowers for her, but the gardener chases them away. Lisette manages to steal a flower, and is seen by the Duke of Safoulrug (Lon Chaney) who is captivated by her beauty. Lisette deserts Antoine and marries the Duke instead for his money, despite the fact that she does not love him. During a royal reception, she meets the King, who is bewitched by her beauty and takes her in his arms. The Duke, knowing that he dare not confront a King, commits suicide, whereupon the King takes Lisette on as his mistress. His Majesty is taken ill one day, and the doctor who arrives to treat him is Antoine, her old flame, now a famous surgeon. Antoine goes to Lisette's room to tell her the operation was a success and she throws her arms around him. He rebukes her advances, saying the fleur de lis has come between them and their happiness. Lisette goes to the fireplace, grabs a hot poker, and burns the birthmark from her flesh. Months later, Lisette is caring for her old father in his hut. She brings some flowers to her mother's grave, and it is there that Antoine finds her and takes her in his arms.

Cast

Cleo Madison Cleo Madison (born Lulu Bailey; March 26, 1883 – March 11, 1964) was a theatrical and silent film actress, screenwriter, producer, and director who was active in Hollywood during the silent era. Madison began her career on the stage. B ...

as Lisette *

Arthur Shirley Arthur Shirley (31 August 1886 – 24 November 1967) was an Australian actor, writer, producer, and director of theatre and film. He experienced some success as a film actor in Hollywood between 1914 and 1920. Biography Early life Born Hen ...

as Antoine Gerome *

as the Duke of Safoulrug *

Millard K. Wilson Millard K. Wilson (May 5, 1890 – October 5, 1933) was an American actor of the silent film era. He appeared in 94 films between 1914 and 1930, co-starring with Lon Chaney Sr. in some of them. Chaney and Wilson were life-long friends.Blake, ...

as The King

Reception

"The photographic work and scenes, all of which transpire in a mythical European country, are extremely good. Joe De Grasse produced it so the beautiful locations are easily accounted for." --- Motion Picture NewsBlake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 53. .

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Fascination of the Fleur de Lis, The 1915 films American silent short films American black-and-white films 1915 drama films 1915 short films Films directed by Joseph De Grasse Universal Pictures short films Silent American drama films Films with screenplays by Bess Meredyth 1910s American films