Lady Windermere's Fan (Silent)

Lady Windermere is appalled by the scandalous rumors surrounding Mrs. Erlynne, a beautiful widow who has suddenly turned up in London society. Dashing bachelor Lord Darlington has been making inappropriate amorous advances toward Lady Windermere. When she refuses him, he reveals that Lord Windermere has been writing large checks to finance Mrs. Erlynne's lavish lifestyle. Convinced that her husband is cheating, Lady Windermere steals off to Darlington's apartment for a secret rendezvous. But racing to intercept her is none other than Mrs. Erlynne, intent on stopping the foolish girl from throwing away her marriage and place in society.

This elegant production stars handsome young Ronald Colman and features powerful performances by May McAvoy and Irene Rich. Brilliantly directed by future Academy Award winner Ernst Lubitsch, Lady Windermere's Fan captures the essence of Oscar Wilde's sophisticated comedy of manners without the benefit of spoken dialogue and was a huge hit in its era. Lubitsch is best remembered for his classics Ninotchka (1939), To Be Or Not To Be (1942) and Heaven Can Wait (1943).

• silent