AFI Catalog of Feature Films
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Déclassée
Alternate Title: The social exile
Director: Robert Vignola (Dir)
Release Date:   12 Apr 1925
Duration (in feet):   7,733
Duration (in reels):   8
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Cast:   Lloyd Hughes (Ned Thayer)  
    Corinne Griffith (Lady Helen Haden)  
    Clive Brook (Rudolph Solomon)  
    Rockliffe Fellowes (Sir Bruce Haden)  
    Lilyan Tashman (Mrs. Leslie)  
    Hedda Hopper (Lady Wildering)  
    Bertram Johns (Sir Emmett Wildering)  
    Gale Henry (Timmins)  
    Louise Fazenda (Mrs. Walton)  
    Eddie Lyons (Mr. Walton)  
    Mario Carillo (Hotel manager)  
    Paul Weigel (Henri)  

Summary: Lady Helen Haden, the last of the impulsive Varicks, is married to Sir Bruce Haden, a brute who treats her shamefully. She falls in love with Ned Thayer, a young American, but refuses to divorce her husband beause of the attendant scandal and disgrace. Sir Bruce gains possession of a love letter written to Ned by Lady Helen and divorces her. Ned goes to Africa, and Lady Helen comes to the United States, where she encounters Rudolph Solomon, an art collector who wants her to become his mistress. The noblewoman at first refuses, but when her money runs out, she agrees to the proposal and attends a party at his home. Ned, who has learned of the divorce, comes looking for Helen and meets her at Solomon's party. Lady Helen is so humiliated and ashamed that she rushes from the house and throws herself in front of an automobile. She is not badly injured, and Ned reaffirms his love for her. 

Production Company: Corinne Griffith Productions  
Distribution Company: First National Pictures, Inc.  
Director: Robert Vignola (Dir)
  Philip Carle (Asst dir)
Writer: Charles E. Whittaker (Scr)
  Bradley King (Scr)
Photography: Gaetano Gaudio (Dir of photog)
Art Direction: J. J. Hughes (Art dir)
Film Editor: Cyril Gardner (Film ed)
Country: United States
Language: English

Source Text: Based on the novel Déclassée by Zoë Akins (New York, 1923).
Authors: Zoë Akins

Copyright Claimant Copyright Date Copyright Number
Corinne Griffith Productions 20/3/1925 dd/mm/yyyy LP21250

Physical Properties: Si:
  b&w:

 
Genre: Drama
 
Subjects (Major): Aristocrats
  Collectors and collecting
  Divorce
  Letters
  Marriage
  Mistresses

Note: The film also was known as The Social Exile . First National released another adapation of Zoë Akins' novel in 1929. That film, entitled Her Private Life (see entry below), was directed by Alexander Korda and starred Billie Dove and Walter Pidgeon. 

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The American Film Institute is grateful to Sir Paul Getty KBE and the Sir Paul Getty KBE Estate for their dedication to the art of the moving image and their support for the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and without whose support AFI would not have been able to achieve this historical landmark in this epic scholarly endeavor.
 
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