| Foolish Wives | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Erich von Stroheim |
| Written by | Erich von Stroheim |
| Produced by | Carl Laemmle Erich von Stroheim |
| Starring | Erich von Stroheim Miss DuPont Maude George |
| Cinematography | William H. Daniels Ben F. Reynolds |
| Edited by | Arthur Ripley |
| Music by | Sigmund Romberg |
Production company | Jewel Productions |
| Distributed by | Universal Film Manufacturing Company |
Release date |
|
Running time | 384 minutes (original cut) 117 minutes (original release) 142 minutes (2013 restoration) 147 minutes (2023 restoration) |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent film English intertitles |
| Budget | $1,103,736[1] |
Foolish Wives is a 1922 American erotic silent drama film produced and distributed by Universal Pictures under their Super-Jewel banner and written and directed by Erich von Stroheim. The drama features von Stroheim, Rudolph Christians, Miss DuPont, Maude George, and others.[2]
When released in 1922, the film was the most expensive film made at that time, and billed by Universal Studios as the "first million-dollar movie" to come out of Hollywood. Originally, von Stroheim intended the film to run anywhere between 6 and 10 hours, and be shown over two evenings, but Universal executives opposed this idea. The studio bosses cut the film drastically before the release date.[3]
Foolish Wives, and the fulsome media coverage that added to its “sensational notoriety”, elevated von Stroheim into the ranks of preeminent directors of the early 1920s.[4]
In 2008, Foolish Wives was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."[5][6]
- ^ "Foolish Wives". Variety. January 20, 1922. p. 23.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
AFIwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
slantwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Koszarski 1983 p. 89: The “unprecedented media event” that surround Foolish Wives “firmly established von Stroheim as a major figure in the industry...the student now equaled the master [D.W.Griffith].” And: “...a genuine outpouring of interest in the man the public recognized as an extraordinary talent…” And p. 91: “...sensational notoriety...”
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
LOC_NRwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved June 16, 2020.