The Affairs of Anatol

USA, 1921. Director Cecil B. DeMille. 103min.

Loosely based on Arthur Schnitzler’s ironic play about the affairs of a love-obsessed bachelor in fin-de-siècle Vienna, DeMille’s film is more of a spectacular sex comedy that reflects on Jazz Age morality. It is DeMille at his best – good comedy, luxurious Orientalist décor and extravagant costume, with sequences originally coloured by the Handschiegl process (sadly, not this print). Bebe Daniels is the most theatrical of Anatol’s love interests as a mock-vampire called Satan Synne. She steals the show in an ‘Octopus Gown’ designed by DeMille’s costumier Clare West. The sets are designed by the French illustrator Paul Iribe in a blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.

With Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson and Bebe Daniels.
Costume design by Clare West.

Past screenings

Birds of Paradise – London
Friday 3 December 2010, 20:40 | BFI Southbank, NFT2
Saturday 11 December 2010, 16:00 | BFI Southbank, NFT2
With introduction by Inga Fraser, and live piano accompaniment from Cyrus Gabrysch on Friday 3 and Andrew Youdell on Saturday 11.