Don't Change Your Husband

Plot

Leila Porter (Gloria Swanson) grows increasingly dissatisfied with her husband James Porter (Elliott Dexter), a wealthy glue manufacturer whose habits of eating onions and sloppy appearance repulse her. After divorcing James, Leila marries the charming but untrustworthy playboy Schuyler Van Sutphen (Lew Cody), only to discover he's a serial womanizer. Meanwhile, James undergoes a complete transformation, becoming sophisticated, well-groomed, and attentive to his appearance. When Leila realizes her mistake and sees her reformed ex-husband, she schemes to win him back, leading to a comedic series of misunderstandings and romantic entanglements that ultimately reunite the original couple.

Historical Background

Released in 1919, 'Don't Change Your Husband' emerged during a period of significant social change in America. The film was produced just after World War I, when traditional gender roles were being questioned and divorce rates were rising. The silent film era was at its peak, with Hollywood establishing itself as the entertainment capital of the world. This film reflected the changing attitudes toward marriage and women's independence, with its portrayal of a woman leaving her husband for personal happiness. The year 1919 also saw the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, making the film's theme of female agency particularly relevant to contemporary audiences.

Making Of

Cecil B. DeMille was known for his meticulous attention to detail and demanded perfection from his actors. During filming, he insisted that Gloria Swanson wear authentic designer gowns from Paris, which cost more than the entire film's budget. Elliott Dexter had to actually eat raw onions for several takes until DeMille was satisfied with the reaction shots. The famous transformation scene where James Porter becomes sophisticated required Dexter to undergo multiple costume changes and makeup applications throughout a single day of filming. DeMille also pioneered the use of intercutting to show parallel action between the two couples, a technique that was revolutionary for its time.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Alvin Wyckoff featured innovative use of lighting to contrast the different lifestyles of the characters. Soft, romantic lighting was used for the happy moments, while harsher lighting emphasized the discord in the relationships. The film employed several tracking shots and camera movements that were advanced for the time, particularly in the ballroom scenes. Wyckoff used special filters to enhance the glamour of the costumes and sets, creating a visual richness that complemented the story's themes of transformation and social status.

Innovations

The film pioneered several technical innovations that would become standard in later years. DeMille experimented with multiple exposure techniques for the transformation scenes, creating seamless visual effects. The production used newly developed film stock that allowed for better capture of detail in the elaborate costumes and sets. The editing style, particularly the use of cross-cutting between parallel storylines, was innovative for its time and influenced future film language. The film also featured some of the earliest uses of makeup techniques to show character transformation convincingly.

Music

As a silent film, it was accompanied by live musical performances in theaters. The original score was composed by William Furst and featured popular songs of the era adapted for the film's romantic and comedic moments. The music emphasized the emotional beats of the story, with waltzes for the romantic scenes and faster-paced ragtime for the comedic sequences. Different theaters often used their own orchestras or organists, leading to variations in the musical experience across different venues.

Memorable Scenes

• The transformation sequence where James Porter goes from sloppy to sophisticated, featuring multiple costume changes and grooming montages
• The dinner scene where James's onion-eating habits disgust Leila, leading to their argument
• The ballroom scene where Leila realizes her mistake upon seeing the transformed James
• The final reconciliation scene where the couple reunites with newfound appreciation for each other

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film for its witty script and sophisticated approach to adult relationships. The Moving Picture World called it 'a delightful comedy of manners that proves DeMille can handle intimate stories as well as grand spectacles.' Variety noted Gloria Swanson's 'charming performance' and predicted she would become a major star. Modern critics have recognized the film as an important early example of the romantic comedy genre, with its influence still seen in contemporary films. The film is often cited in film studies courses as an example of how silent films could handle complex adult themes with subtlety and sophistication.

What Audiences Thought

The film was a box office success, earning approximately $300,000 against its $65,000 budget. Audiences responded enthusiastically to its modern take on relationships and the glamorous transformation sequences. The chemistry between the leads was particularly praised by moviegoers, with many letters to fan magazines expressing admiration for Gloria Swanson's performance. The film's success led to increased demand for more sophisticated comedies dealing with adult themes. Contemporary audience members reported laughing aloud in theaters during the screening, which was notable for a silent film where humor had to be conveyed visually.

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