Camille (1921)

Metro presents Nazimova in a modernized version of Camille By Alexandre Dumas, fils. Copyright 1921 by Metro Pictures Corporations Controlled by Loew Incorporated

Directed by Ray C. Smallwood

Written for the screen by June Mathis

Art Director Natasha Rambova PhotoGaston Rieuxaphed by R. J. Berquist member A.S.C.

A Nazimova Production Released through Metro Pictures Corporation Passed by the National Board of Review

CAST

Camille! What a magic conjuring of players who have portrayed Dumas' immortal "Daughter of Chance." And with them comes to mind the thought of basque and crinoline.

But why not a Camille of today? Living the same story in this generation?

Winter. Paris, magic city of pleasure, yet beneath its tinseled gaiety throbbing with life's Gaston Rieuxim note of passion and tragedy.

Iris transition

It was all new to Armand Duval who had just come from the provinces. ...Rudolph Valentino

But his boyhood friend, Gaston Rieux, had Gaston Rieux own blasé. ...Rex Cherryman

Alla Nazimova's entrance

The Lady with the Camellias. She was a useless ornament--a plaything--a bird of passage--a momentary aurora. Marguerite Gautier, Nazimova

Gaston Rieux: "There is 'the Lady with the Camellias' with the Count de VaRudolph Valentinoille. She is evidently playing for higher stakes. The old Duke is getting his congé."

Rudolph Valentino: "You really know her, Gaston?"

Gaston Rieux: Would you like to meet her?

Gaston Rieux: "Permit me to introduce a fellow law student."

Alla Nazimova: "A law student? He'd do better to study love!"

A view of Rambova's full opening set

Prudence was a sponger on her younger and more successful sisters. ...Zeffie Tilbury

Gaston, take me home!

Marguerite is giving a supper party--let's drop in and surprise her!

Iris transition

Full view of Rambova set 2

Alla Nazimova: "Not until you put a jewel in my hand."

Nazimova close up, tone shift when Marguerite is alone

Madame, you are ill! You should not have gone out--send them away and call the doctor.

Alla Nazimova: "What does it matter, Nanine? Who is there to care whether I live or not?"

Nazimova mirror med shot

Poor boy--he is mad about you!

Nazimova close up

Alla Nazimova: "Not until you put a jewel in my hand."

Alla Nazimova: "Let us drink to the Count whose wine we spill-- Who never objects to footing the bill--"

Alla Nazimova: "Who is very persistent in his attentions-- Yet never conceals his-- intentions!"

Valentino close up

Alla Nazimova: "A simple little girl from Bordeaux: Hair, eyes and feet--just so! /Modest little ways--dear little Clo! /The simple little girl from Bordeaux."

Valentino close up

Alla Nazimova: Here just a year--everyone's dear!/ Motors, jewels, clothes--oh! ho!/ Are her eyes and feet--just so?/ Naughty little Clo--Clo from Bordeaux!"

Lesbian subtext, same sex kiss with Marguerite and Nichette

Oh, it is only Nichette! She used to work in the dressmaking shop with Marguerite.

Marguerite and Nichette

Marguerite and Nichette, second kiss and subtext

Alla Nazimova: "Take your hands off--she is too good for you!"

Marguerite/Nichette third & fourth kiss

Rudolph Valentino: "She is ill!"

She is always ill! Just when we are enjoying ourselves, on comes that cough and our fun is spoiled!

Rudolph Valentino: "You are ill! Let me send for the doctor!"

Alla Nazimova: "It is nothing--see how the others concern themselves!"

Rudolph Valentino: "You are different! This life is unworthy of you--it is killing you!"

Alla Nazimova: "You know who--what I am? Go home--forget that we have ever met."

Rudolph Valentino: "I wish I were a relative--your seRudolph Valentinoant--a dog--that I might care for you--nurse you--make you well!"

Alla Nazimova: "My life is not for long and short as it may be, it would outlive your love."

Rudolph Valentino: "This is no foolish fancy! Give me a chance to prove my devotion! Since I saw you this evening, nothing else seems to matter!"

Alla Nazimova: "My symbol, Armand--a camellia. Cherished, its beauty will excel the loveliest flower, but wound it with the slightest touch and it will die."

Alla Nazimova: "Go! Go and take your sponging pack with you!"

Leave her alone--she's drunk!

Iris transition

Spring. Away from the old life, Armand's tender care proved that love is the Gaston Rieuxeatest doctor.

Off center iris transition

Interesting vignette of bell tower

Manon Lescaut

Manon a Marguerite, humilite, Armand Duval / Manon to Marguerite, humility, Armand Duval

Rudolph Valentino, reading: And so Marguerite heard the story of Manon Lescaut, child of passion, exiled to the New World with the scum of Paris--

Dissolve (to images from the story)

#NAME?

Dissolve

Over Marguerite fell the shadow of a vague presentiment. She was Manon and Armand was--

Dissolve back to story

Alla Nazimova as Manon: "Why follow me, beloved? I am now the lowest of the low."

Rudolph Valentino: "I will gladly lay my honor at thy feet and follow the to the end of the world."

Valentino kisses sword

Dissolve

Alla Nazimova: "I could never chain you to my past, Armand--drag you down--never!"

Nichette is back and Marguerite kisses her on the mouth Again

Nichette has made me go to work. As soon as I can earn enough money, we will be married.

Nichette: "You will wear one some day." [Alla Nazimova, mouthing: "Me?"]

Light damage to the film print here

Huge tear/nitrate decay

Interesting snow effect begins

Book titled: Manon lescaut

Alla Nazimova: "No, no--not that!"

Iris transition

Summer. Secrets--schemes--sacrifices for future happiness.

Iris transition

PD: "Everything you possess is listed on this bill of sale. All it needs is your signature."

PD: "Does Armand know?" [Alla Nazimova, mouthing: "No, no"]

Flowers with card labeled "Comte de Va Rudolph Valentinoille"

Comte de Varville

Alla Nazimova: "Take them back to Paris, Prudence! They have no place in this house!"

PD: "Don't be a fool, Marguerite! You are sacrificing everything when the Count offers you luxury."

I Marguerite Gautier hereby authorize Prudence Duvernay to sell the following items...

You are Marguerite Gautier? I am Armand Duval's father.

Alla Nazimova: "I--I am Marguerite Gautier."

I find that my son is about to make over his mother's legacy to you. Why rob him of his inheritance when there are so many rich men in Paris?

Alla Nazimova: "I do not know what you mean! I would not accept a penny from your son!"

Alla Nazimova: "I am selling all I possess--there is no need for anxiety--I would do anything for Armand."

Then I ask you to give him up. I appeal to you as a father who seeks the happiness of both his children.

I have a daughter who is engaged to be married--

Fade out/fade in (signals flashback)

There has never been a scandal in our family. It will be impossible for me to marry your daughter, unless Armand's name is no longer linked with 'the Lady with the Camellias'!

Fade out/fade in

Her life is just beginning--my daughter's happiness is in your hands.

Alla Nazimova: "I will go away until Armand's sister is married."

That is not enough!

Alla Nazimova: "Do not ask me to give him up forever! He is my very life--I have not long to live!"

There is no future for your love--you must give him up!

Do not remind me of my past! I want to forget it!

You cannot--you are chained to your past! Would you drag the man you love down into the mire?

Fade out/in (back to the story Manon from earlier)

Fade out/in

Letter "Comte de VaRudolph Valentinoille"

Alla Nazimova: "You are right! I must make him hate me! He must never want to see me again!"

Note from Marguerite and translation - "Notre petite escapade est finie, Armand, je retoirne a Paris. Rentres chez toi et oublis. Marguerite / Our little escapade is over, Armand, I am returning to Paris-- Go home and forget! Marguerite

Close up on camellias

Iris out

At nightfall, Marguerite left for Paris.

Marguerite's note - Our little escapade is over, Armand, I am returning to Paris-- Go home and forget! Marguerite

Iris out

Autumn. The Hazard d'Or, the smartest gaming place in Paris.

Iris in to another Rambova set

Paris boasted a new Daughter of Chance, whose golden beauty bade fair to rival "the Lady with the Camellias:. Olympe ...Consuelo Flowerton

He is only doing it so that Marguerite will hear of it! He has been like a madman for the past month.

And Marguerite! Suppers--parties--she is drugging herself with excitement! She will kill herself! 00;46;37;03 00;46;44;04 00;00;07;00 Comment Dialogue Look at your broken-hearted lover!"

Alla Nazimova: "So we have both drifted back to the old life, Gaston!"

I am here only to watch Armand. Nichette and I are to be married on the last day of the year.

Nazimova and Spider web set

Rudolph Valentino: "If chance could be bought with gold--like a woman--you might be the winner, my dear Count!"

It is usually the provincial upstart who wins for the first time--and boasts of his luck!

You have broken the bank!

Valentino in spider web set

Alla Nazimova: "Why are you here Armand? I hoped you would leave Paris!"

Rudolph Valentino: "I will--if you go with me!"

Fade out/in out/in

Alla Nazimova: "I must not! I promised--I promised!"

Rudolph Valentino: "You promised? The Count de VaRudolph Valentinoille?"

Rudolph Valentino: "Say that you love him and I will leave Paris forever!"

Alla Nazimova: "I love--the Count de VaRudolph Valentinoille."

Rudolph Valentino: "You see that woman? Do you know what she has done?"

Rudolph Valentino: "Listen--all of you! I loved her more than life itself--but I was poor and could not pay! Her love was for sale--she left me!

Rudolph Valentino: "Bear witness that I pay her now--that I owe her nothing!"

Light leak damage, from projector?

Rudolph Valentino: "I am through with you--and Paris, forever!"

Iris

Winter. With the last day of the dying year.

Iris

Bell vignette

Alla Nazimova: "It is the last day of December--the wedding day of Gaston and Nichette."

Alla Nazimova: "And to think that I am too ill to be there!"

Possible projector damage

She is very ill.

The court has ordered an immediate auction to satisfy the demands of creditors.

Alla Nazimova: "I know they have come--what does it matter? It is the end."

Marguerite's letter in French - "Tout ce que je possede doit etre vendu pour payer mes creamciers, a l'exeption d'un volume de Manor Lescaut. C'est le seul cadeau que j'ai recu d'Armand. Donney le lui, et quand je ne serai plus dites lui combieu je l'aimac Marguerite Gautier

the letter in English - "All my possesions are to be sold to pay my creditors, with the exception of a volume of Manon Lescaut-- the only gift I ever recieved from Armand. When I am gone, give it to him--and tell him how much I loved him. Marguerite Gautier

Your jewels, Madame?

Alla Nazimova: "It is the most precious thing I possess!"

Light damage

Book cover - Manon Lescaut

Inscription - "Marguerite a Armand, Amour" / Translation "Marguerite to Armand, Love"

Light damage

Bell vignette and dissolve to flashback

She is in delirium.

Blur effect to indicate Marguerite's health decline/"delirium"

Gaston and Nichette slowly come into focus

Alla Nazimova: "Do not weep, Gaston, the world will lose nothing. I was a useless ornament--a plaything--a momentary aurora."

Alla Nazimova: "Armand."

Slow dissolve to flashback

Armand and Marguerite memory slowly blurs and dissolves back to present

Mold or mildew on film stock

Alla Nazimova: "Let me sleep--let me dream--I am happy."

Slow Iris in

THE END.