Old Wives for New

About the production

The film was an adaptation of David Graham Phillips' 1908 novel. Cecil B. DeMille and his frequent collaborator Jeanie Macpherson used the project to explore the 'modern' dynamics of marriage and divorce, which were controversial topics at the time. The production was noted for its lavish art direction by Wilfred Buckland, who helped establish the 'DeMille style' of opulent interiors.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

By 1918, competing studios crowded weekly bills, and Old Wives for New had to win attention alongside newsreels and shorts.

Why this film matters

Surviving prints of Old Wives for New help researchers study how 1918-era filmmakers solved storytelling with limited means.

Making of

During production, DeMille focused heavily on the visual contrast between the 'old' and 'new' lifestyles. He worked closely with costume designer Alpharetta Hoffman to ensure that the clothing reflected the characters' moral and social standing. The hunting sequence, where the leads meet, was filmed on location to provide a sense of rugged realism that contrasted with the later, more decadent city scenes. DeMille's assistant directors on the project included Sam Wood, who would later become a major director in his own right.

What critics said

Modern retrospectives screen Old Wives for New for craft context—pacing, performance, and camera choices of 1918.

Did you know?

• The film features an uncredited appearance by a young William Boyd, who would later become famous as Hopalong Cassidy.
• Sylvia Ashton, who played the 'slovenly' wife Sophy, was praised by DeMille for her willingness to look 'wonderfully disgusting' on screen, a rarity for actresses of the era.
• The film's release was initially delayed because censors feared it advocated for divorce as a positive solution to marital problems.
• The opening title card explicitly warns women to keep themselves attractive for their husbands, reflecting the social attitudes DeMille was exploring.
• Future star Alice Terry appears in a small role as a saleslady, credited as Alice Taafe.
• The film is the first of DeMille's 'marriage trilogy,' followed by 'Don't Change Your Husband' and 'Why Change Your Wife?'.
• The Chicago Board of Censors issued an 'Adults Only' permit and demanded several cuts, including scenes of a woman shooting a man.
• Noah Beery appears in an uncredited role as a doctor.

Awards & recognition

• National Board of Review - Top Ten Films (1918)

Visual style

Alvin Wyckoff utilized innovative lighting techniques to emphasize the emotional distance between Charles and Sophy. The use of close-ups on textures—such as messy breakfast trays versus elegant silk—served as a visual shorthand for the characters' internal states.

Innovations

The film is noted for its sophisticated use of 'Rembrandt lighting' and its detailed set designs by Wilfred Buckland, which moved away from flat theatrical backdrops toward three-dimensional, realistic environments.

Music

As a silent film, the original score would have been performed live by theater organists or orchestras. Modern restorations, such as the Image Entertainment release, feature a compiled vintage orchestral score by Eric Beheim.

Famous quotes

Title Card: 'A warning to women: If you want to keep the home fires burning, don't get fat and lazy.'

Title Card: 'Trim your Votes for Women with a little lace and ribbon.'

Charles Murdock: 'I want a divorce. I want to live before I die.'

Memorable scenes

• The opening sequence showing Sophy's messy bedroom and her indifference to her husband's presence.
• The hunting scene where Charles and Juliet both shoot the same bear, serving as a metaphor for their shared destiny.
• The dramatic nightclub shooting where the business partner is killed by his mistress.
• The final romantic reunion in Venice, showcasing the film's high-budget travelogue style.

What audiences thought

The film was a significant commercial success, grossing over four times its budget. Audiences were drawn to the scandalous nature of the plot and the high-production values, making it among the leading talked-about films of 1918.

Film connections

Influenced by

• The novel 'Old Wives for New' by David Graham Phillips
• The growing suffrage movement
• European society dramas

This film influenced

• Don't Change Your Husband (1919)
• Why Change Your Wife? (1920)
• The Affairs of Anatol (1921)

Film restoration

The film is preserved. Complete prints are held by the Academy Film Archive and the George Eastman Museum. It has been released on DVD as part of the Cecil B. DeMille Classics Collection.

Where to watch

• Amazon Prime Video (VOD)
• YouTube (Silent Film Channels)
• DVD via Image Entertainment or Passport Video