Forbidden Fruit

Plot

Mary Maddock, a dedicated seamstress, works tirelessly to support her unemployed husband Steve who lacks ambition and prospects. When Mary's wealthy employers, the Mallorys, need to secure an oil business deal with the affluent Nelson Rogers before he leaves town, they devise a manipulative scheme. Mrs. Mallory convinces Mary to attend a dinner party as her guest with the specific intention of captivating Mr. Rogers and convincing him to stay in town long enough to finalize the business arrangement. As Mary becomes entangled in this web of deception, she finds herself torn between her loyalty to her husband and the seductive world of wealth and opportunity that opens before her. The film explores themes of temptation, morality, and the corrupting influence of wealth as Mary navigates increasingly complex romantic and ethical dilemmas.

Historical Background

Forbidden Fruit was produced during a transformative period in American cinema and society. The early 1920s saw Hollywood consolidating its position as the world's film capital, with directors like Cecil B. DeMille establishing the studio system that would dominate for decades. The film reflected post-World War I anxieties about changing social mores, particularly regarding women's roles and sexuality. The oil business subplot mirrored the real oil boom that was reshaping Southern California's economy and landscape. The film's exploration of moral temptation and material wealth spoke to a society grappling with the tensions between traditional values and modern consumer culture. This was also the period when the film industry was establishing its self-censorship codes, making DeMille's exploration of 'forbidden' themes particularly notable.

Making Of

Cecil B. DeMille approached Forbidden Fruit with his characteristic blend of showmanship and moral seriousness. The production was part of DeMille's golden period at Famous Players-Lasky, where he had considerable creative freedom and substantial budgets. DeMille was known for his hands-on directing style, often personally positioning actors and supervising every aspect of production. The film's elaborate sets were constructed on the Paramount backlot, with the dinner party scene requiring extensive preparation and coordination. Agnes Ayres, who was rising to stardom during this period, worked closely with DeMille to develop her character's complex emotional journey. The film's themes of temptation and redemption resonated with DeMille's personal interests and appeared in many of his works from this era.

Visual Style

The cinematography in Forbidden Fruit was handled by Alvin Wyckoff, a frequent DeMille collaborator. The film featured sophisticated lighting techniques that visually distinguished between the world of moral purity and corrupting luxury. Wyckoff employed dramatic chiaroscuro effects, particularly in scenes of moral conflict, using shadows to represent the characters' inner turmoil. The dinner party sequence showcased elaborate lighting design that emphasized the opulence and artificiality of the wealthy characters' world. The film's visual style reflected DeMille's background in theater, with carefully composed shots that emphasized dramatic moments and character reactions. The cinematography also made effective use of the medium's ability to convey emotion through visual means, crucial for a silent film.

Innovations

Forbidden Fruit demonstrated several technical innovations characteristic of DeMille's productions. The film featured sophisticated set design that used architectural elements to reinforce the story's moral themes. The lighting techniques employed by cinematographer Alvin Wyckoff were particularly advanced for the period, using artificial light to create mood and emphasize character psychology. The film's editing, supervised by Anne Bauchens, DeMille's longtime editor, featured smooth transitions and effective pacing that maintained dramatic tension. The production also showcased advances in makeup and costume design that helped create the film's distinctive visual contrast between different social worlds. These technical elements combined to create a film that was visually sophisticated and emotionally powerful.

Music

As a silent film, Forbidden Fruit would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The score would have been compiled from various classical and popular pieces, selected to match the film's emotional tone and dramatic moments. Theatres of the era typically employed small orchestras or organists to provide accompaniment, with larger theaters offering more elaborate musical presentations. The specific musical selections for Forbidden Fruit are not documented, but given DeMille's attention to detail, it's likely that detailed musical cue sheets were provided to theaters. The film's themes of temptation and moral conflict would have been emphasized through appropriate musical choices, ranging from romantic melodies during tender moments to dramatic, dissonant passages during scenes of moral crisis.

Memorable Scenes

• The elaborate dinner party sequence where Mary, dressed in luxurious clothes, enters the wealthy world for the first time, with DeMille using tracking shots and detailed composition to emphasize her transformation and the overwhelming opulence surrounding her

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised Forbidden Fruit for its sophisticated storytelling and impressive production values. The New York Times noted the film's 'unusual dramatic power' and praised Agnes Ayres' performance as 'both subtle and powerful.' Variety highlighted DeMille's skillful direction and the film's visual beauty. Critics particularly appreciated the film's moral complexity, noting that it avoided simple judgments in favor of nuanced character development. Modern film historians consider the film an important example of DeMille's early work, demonstrating his ability to combine entertainment with serious themes. The film is often cited as a transitional work between DeMille's earlier melodramas and his later epics.

What Audiences Thought

Forbidden Fruit was generally well-received by audiences upon its release, particularly appealing to sophisticated urban viewers who appreciated its adult themes and lavish production values. The film performed solidly at the box office, benefiting from DeMille's growing reputation as a reliable director of quality entertainment. Contemporary audience letters and reviews suggest that viewers were particularly drawn to Agnes Ayres' performance and the film's exploration of moral dilemmas. The film's themes of temptation and redemption resonated strongly with early 1920s audiences, who were navigating their own rapidly changing social landscape. While not as commercially successful as some of DeMille's other works from this period, the film developed a reputation as a quality adult drama that appealed to discerning moviegoers.

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