| Slave of Desire | |
|---|---|
 Lobby card | |
| Directed by | George D. Baker |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | La Peau de chagrin byHonoré de Balzac |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | John W. Boyle |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Goldwyn Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 7reels; 6,673 feet[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (Englishintertitles) |
Slave of Desire (originally titledThe Magic Skin)[3] is a 1923 Americansilentdrama film directed byGeorge D. Baker, produced and distributed byGoldwyn Pictures.[4][5] It was based on the novelLa Peau de chagrin[a] byHonoré de Balzac, first published in 1831.[4] The Balzac novel had previously been filmed in 1909 asThe Wild Ass's Skin, which was more faithful to the original novel.[6]
The picture starsGeorge Walsh,Bessie Love, andCarmel Myers. A print of the film is preserved in the collection ofCinémathèque Française.[7][8]
InParis, 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]
Slave of Desire was partially shot on location inChatsworth, Los Angeles.[12]
The film received mixed reviews, with many reviewers noted the fanciful plot and subject matter as a hindrance to the film's success.[2][13][14][15][16]
Carmel Myers's performance was especially highly praised,[4] as were the visuals, especially Myers's wardrobe.[4][10]
 | This article about a silent drama film from the 1920s is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |