The Affairs of Anatol


The Affairs of Anatol is a 1921 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, and starring Wallace Reid and Gloria Swanson. The film is based on the play Anatol by Arthur Schnitzler.

Plot

Socialite Anatol Spencer, finding his relationship with his wife lackluster, goes in search of excitement.
After bumping into old flame Emilie, he leases an apartment for her only to find that she cheats on him. He is subsequently robbed, conned, and booted from pillar to post. He decides to return to his wife and discovers her carousing with his best friend Max.

Cast

The screenplay was based on a one-act play called Anatol written by Arthur Schnitzler in 1893 and translated into English by Harley Granville-Barker. The play opened in New York City on October 14, 1912, with John Barrymore in the title role, and ran for 72 performances.

Preservation status

A print of the film still exists. Film Preservation Associates copyrighted a version of the film in 1999 with a musical score composed and performed by Brian Benison. The film was later produced for VHS by David Shepard of FPA with a runtime of 117 minutes, and subsequently issued as a DVD.
Sam Wood apparently created Don't Tell Everything, also starring Swanson, Reid, and Dexter, in part using outtakes left over from The Affairs of Anatol.