Sapho (1913)
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Florence Roberts | Shelly Hull | Lucius Henderson (Director)
Rest of cast:
Arthur Cadwell Jr. | Lamar Johnstone | Alphonse Daudet (Novel) | Daniel Carson Goodman (Story)
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“Sapho” a Clean Film
Probably no good woman ever lived who did not wonder how a bad woman could possibly fascinate any self-respecting man. The terms “good” and “bad” in this relation, are merely comparative. No “good” woman ever existed who was perfect — no “bad” woman has ever been utterly unworthy of some consideration.
The book, Sapho, as Alphonse Daudet wrote it, portrays a woman by no means altogether bad, and his portraiture of such a woman is artistic to the last degree. The Nethersole play, dramatized from this book. lost much of Daudet’s delicacy and gave the impression of a woman whose thread of life we would prefer not having touch our own. The film adaption however, as acted in six reels by Florence Roberts and presented on the states-rights plan by the Sapho Feature Film Company, may be described as thoroughly human. One gets the underlying reasons which made the life of Fanny Legrand — or Sapho — what it was, and the supporting cast strengthens the impression. As those who read the book will remember. Fanny Legrand — or Sapho — was picked out of the gutter by Caoudel, the sculptor — who used her as a model for his famous statue — Sapho — the creation which made him, as a sculptor. For some months, or years, — the time does not matter, she was faithful to him — their life was idyllic. Then Caoudel left her and she was taken up by LaGournerie. the rhymester — who abused her until endurance ceased to be a virtue. The famous Dechlette, engineer, explorer and statesman, honored her with the shelter of his roof for one night; the most any woman could ever say of him, and made her as celebrated as himself by this attention. Then came Flamaht, the engraver, who spent his all, and eventually forged for her. Always the fascination for men of brains! Always the mental and physical stimulus to original creation which made each of them famous in his own line. Finally after many years, came Jean Gaussin, the young provencial destined for a consular career, and with their first meeting at Dechlette’s masque ball the story begins.
There are some things in the story to be sure which are unpleasant, but no more so than. in life itself. Sapho is true to life, there can be little question as to that. And in her story there is both lesson and warning to every “good” wife against taking her supposedly established position too much as a matter-of-course. As a play, it holds the interest from start to finish. There is no dull moment in the entire production.
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- Scene from Majestic feature production of Sapho.
- Florence Roberts as Sapho in Majestic feature production of that title.
Collection: Motography Magazine, October 1913
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see also