A Spoiled Life - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

This is a story of a brilliant man who possesses every gift .save that of a normal body; he is deformed. Living in retirement he writes a play which enraptures the critics and in which the great actress, Hilda Wierum, obtains new laurels. ...See moreThis is a story of a brilliant man who possesses every gift .save that of a normal body; he is deformed. Living in retirement he writes a play which enraptures the critics and in which the great actress, Hilda Wierum, obtains new laurels. Flushed with success she regrets the absence of the author, whose work has meant so much to her and learning that he is stopping in Capri, sends for him. Hugo Sarden, the author, fears to accept the cordial invitation, knowing that his deformity will prove to be a serious handicap. He finally decides to visit her just once since he has found his retirement irksome because of its loneliness. When Sarden is announced the actress is filled with pleasurable anticipation, which is at once changed to distaste when she sees the little hunchback. The sensitive man sees her disapproval, feels it, and starts to go. Pitying him, she recalls him and her charms make him her instant slave. Feeling that love is not for him, he writes her that he is going back to his exile and makes his love for her evident in every line. Mistaking her sincere pity for love she prevents his journey and when he proposes to her, accepts and marries him. Not long afterward she finds she has married in haste to repent at leisure. The leading man in her company is handsome and talented and soon makes a deep impression upon her. Sarden notices this and suffers the torments of jealousy. Sarden's newest play is produced and the author sitting alone in his box sees not the success of his drama, but has eyes for only one thing: the vivid lovemaking between his wife and the leading man. The audience looks upon it as wonderful acting, but Sarden in his heart knows that it is not art, but love. After the matinee Sarden returns to his home and waits in vain for his wife. She is in her dressing-room accepting the advances of her lover and Sarden instinctively knows this. Going to the theater be conceals himself in the entrance and waits for the thief of his wife's affections. Finally the man appears and Sarden from his concealment aims a revolver at the unconscious victim's back. But his conscience triumphs and he permits his rival to walk from the theater unscathed. For himself remains only his lonely walk home and then in his library he visits upon himself the death he had intended for the other. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less