''For Better, for Worse'' is a 1919 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. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...
directed by
Cecil B. DeMille and starring
Gloria Swanson. The film was the second of four "
marriage films" directed by DeMille and the second DeMille film starring Gloria Swanson.
''For Better, for Worse'' was adapted for the screen by
William C. DeMille.
Jeanie MacPherson wrote the film's scenario.
Plot
As described in a
film magazine,
Dr. Edward Meade (Dexter) and his close friend Richard Burton (Forman) are rivals for the hand of Sylvia Norcross (Swanson), but both men have volunteered to fight in the
war. Although Sylvia favors Dr. Meade, she is proud of both of them. As Edward is putting on his uniform, the head of the children's hospital where he works comes to him and convinces him that his true duty lies there, where his surgeon's skill is most needed. Edward resigns his commission, and Sylvia, disgusted as what she perceives as cowardice, marries Richard the day he is leaving with his
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation.
In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...
for
Europe
Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...
. Richard conceals his hurt and devotes himself to the hospital. Betty Hoyt (Hawley), a friend of Sylvia, also hides her disappointment as she had feelings for Richard. Sylvia uses her time to aid poor families on New York's
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, sometimes abbreviated as LES, is a historic neighborhood in the southeastern part of Manhattan in New York City. It is located roughly between the Bowery and the East River from Canal to Houston streets. Historically, it w ...
, and coming home one night runs down a little girl (Giraci) with her car, who turns out to be an orphan as her father had died at the front in Europe.
Sylvia takes the child to recuperate in her home, and learns the child may never walk again. Seeking out the best surgeon, Sylvia finds the only one who has not gone to fight is Dr. Meade. Edward consents and does his best for the child. Meanwhile, Richard at the front line calmly faces possible death. He is wounded in battle, and finds that he has lost his right hand and severely injured the left side of his face. He then asks a friend to tell his wife that he had been killed in battle. Back in New York, Sylvia has come to better understand Edward's character as he cares for the orphan. When news of Richard's death comes, she turns to Edward, the man she has always loved. Betty accuses her of loving Edward, and she cannot deny it. After waiting a suitable amount of time, Edward asks Sylvia to marry him, and she consents. On the day the engagement is to be announced, Richard returns home, having received a new
prosthetic hand and some work to his face. The guests hail Richard as a hero while Edward, facing the situation, quietly leaves. Sylvia tries to take up her life with Richard again, and when they are alone, Richard is beaming with joy but she cannot hide her aversion to his wounds. Quick to understand, Richard bitterly reproaches her and leaves. Meeting Betty in the hall, he tells her what happened, and she happily says that she can take Sylvia's place. Richard accepts this as he embraces her. Sylvia goes to see Edward at his home and finds him in his chair with the orphan on his lap. She says that she tried to stay with Richard, but her love for Edward was too strong. Richard, who followed Sylvia, arrives, and there ensues a conversation that results in peace and contentment for the four parties instead of ruined lives.
Cast
*
Elliott Dexter as Dr. Edward Meade
*
Tom Forman as Richard Burton
*
Gloria Swanson as Sylvia Norcross
*
Sylvia Ashton as Sylvia's Aunt
*
Raymond Hatton as Bud
*
Theodore Roberts as Hospital Head
*
Wanda Hawley as Betty Hoyt
*
Winter Hall as Doctor
*
Jack Holt as Crusader
*
Fred Huntley as Colonial Soldier
*
Mae Giraci as Little Girl (uncredited)
Production notes
Filming began on January 27, 1919 with a budget of
$1,260.93. Filming completed on March 24, 1919. The film premiered on April 27, 1919 and grossed $256,072.97.
Preservation
A complete
35 mm print of ''For Better, for Worse'' is held by the
George Eastman Museum in
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in and the county seat, seat of government of Monroe County, New York, United States. It is the List of municipalities in New York, fourth-most populous city and 10th most-populated municipality in New York, with a populati ...
.
See also
*''
The House That Shadows Built'' (1931 promotional film by Paramount)
References
External links
*
{{Cecil B. DeMille
1919 films
1919 drama films
Silent American drama films
American silent feature films
American black-and-white films
American films based on plays
Famous Players-Lasky films
Films directed by Cecil B. DeMille
1910s American films
1910s English-language films