Guile of Women (1921)

Guile of Women Poster

A naive young Swede is repeatedly victimized by predatory women. When finally he meets a young woman who seems sincere and true, he wonders if he can trust her.

Introduction
"Guile of Women" is a quiet film launched in 1921, directed by Clarence Badger and starring Will Rogers, Helene Chadwick, and Mary Alden. This movie is produced by Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and its screenplay is drawn from the cartoon series "Mr. and Mrs".

Plot Overview
The film's titular character, Sam, represented by Will Rogers, is an easy boat contractor from the countryside. His enduring, sweet relationship with his girlfriend Susie (played by Irene Rich), changes course when a captivating cosmopolitan female called Ethel Van Tuyler (Helene Chadwick) gets in the scene. Ethel is an attractive female from the city who seduces Sam, captivating him with her charm and elegance. In doing so, she sets off a series of occasions that ultimately forces Sam to select between his love for Susie and his infatuation with Ethel.

Sam's Life Transformation
Sam, captivated and mesmerized by Ethel's city way of life, chooses to leave his precious Susie and the quaint, comfy, small-town life he's constantly known. Helmlessly, he plunges into the city's rush and the upper class life, believing this is the method to win Ethel's heart. Nevertheless, he quickly has a hard time to adapt to this brand-new lifestyle and finds himself unpleasant in the pressure and the cold, insincere social charm of the city.

Sam's Realization and The Climax
As he gets to know Ethel and her buddies more closely, Sam starts to see the shallow superficiality of the city's environment and the people that inhabit it. In Ethel and her high society good friends, he sees greed, vanity, and a lack of authentic human connection and heat, which left him yearning for his old life with Susie and the authenticity of his village. His realization marks a turning point in the story leading him to make a vital choice.

Conclusion
In a twist of occasions, a homesick Sam leaves the city and returns back to his house, finally comprehending that his loyalty lies with Susie, not Ethel. He realizes that he is in love with Susie and that she, with her honesty and simplicity, represents all that he genuinely desires. At the end of the film, he passionately fixes up with Susie, and they handle the aftermath of his city life misadventure together.

Critical Acclaim
"Guile of Women" was usually well received by critics in 1921 and appreciated for its representation of the contrast of city and nation life. Its ageless themes of love, vanity, the superficiality of upper class, and the appeal of a simple life resonate universally. Will Rogers' performance as Sam was particularly praised. The film highlights that the pursuit of outwardly outside beauty and perceived social status can distract an individual from acknowledging the real charm and worth in the uncomplicated, honest elements of life.

Conclusion
In conclusion, "Guile of Women" is a charming, early 20th-century exploration of love, infatuation, and the difference between an exterior of appeals versus genuine wholehearted warmth. The movie ends with the reassuring message that house is where the heart is, and one can not discover true happiness by simply changing their environment.

Top Cast

  • Will Rogers (small)
    Will Rogers
    Hjalmar Maartens
  • Mary Warren (small)
    Mary Warren
    Hulda
  • Doris Pawn (small)
    Doris Pawn
    Annie
  • Lionel Belmore (small)
    Lionel Belmore
    Armstrong
  • Bert Sprotte (small)
    Bert Sprotte
    Skole
  • Charles Smiley
    Captain Larsen
  • Nick Cogley (small)
    Nick Cogley
    Captain Stahl