When World Film Corporation was formed in 1915 with Lewis J. Selznick, the first star they signed was Clara Kimball Young. She had been one of Vitagraph's brightest young stars who was being noticed as a fine comedienne but Clara had more dramatic ambitions and so signed with World who definitely showcased her to advantage in some prestigious films like "Camille", "Trilby" and "The Deep Purple" during the first year. Within the year though, Selznick had lured her away from World when he formed his own company and World never recovered from the loss of their biggest star, Young's career was never the same either!!
Wilton Lackaye, as the titles tell us was the definite Svengali of the American stage and screen (until John Barrymore came along) and he played the part in the old time manner. It follows the book closely - even having Trilby introduced in the soldier's coat and the striped skirt. The Laird, Taffy and Little Billee are dubbed "the Three Musketeers of the Brush" in the Latin Quarter and grudgingly put up with the sinister Svengali who often drops into their studio to borrow money and to play his strange music. It lures young Trilby (Young), an artist's model from across the hall, into his hypnotic presence and when he actually hypnotises her (to cure her repeated headaches) she "comes to" possessed of a magnificent singing voice and, unknown to her, completely under Svengali's dominance. He is convinced she will make him wealthy when he has prepared her for singing before the heads of Europe. The real Trilby is completely tone deaf and whenever she opens her mouth to sing her beloved "Ben Bolt" is quickly discouraged.
All this is happening as the love between her and Billee deepens, in fact she is lured away by Svengali on the eve of her engagement. Young does very well as Trilby, a carefree happy go lucky model who enjoys an occasional cigarette, she becomes almost a somnambulistic diva under the evil spell. As Svengali must expend all his time keeping Trilby's soul in his power, his own body is weakened and he suffers a series of heart attacks - whenever these occur Trilby's old fun loving self returns and Young handles the changes terrifically. Even though Maurice Tourner was just starting to be noticed as a director there are some memorable scenes - one in which the camera seems suspended from the ceiling, showing a small bare room to every advantage and again at the engagement party where a group of guests do an impromptu can can, giving to the drama happening in the other room an even more highly charged effect.
For once Young actually looked young - in a lot of photos she appears quite matronly despite being only in her mid to late 20s ie "The Eyes of Youth" (1919) etc.
Wilton Lackaye, as the titles tell us was the definite Svengali of the American stage and screen (until John Barrymore came along) and he played the part in the old time manner. It follows the book closely - even having Trilby introduced in the soldier's coat and the striped skirt. The Laird, Taffy and Little Billee are dubbed "the Three Musketeers of the Brush" in the Latin Quarter and grudgingly put up with the sinister Svengali who often drops into their studio to borrow money and to play his strange music. It lures young Trilby (Young), an artist's model from across the hall, into his hypnotic presence and when he actually hypnotises her (to cure her repeated headaches) she "comes to" possessed of a magnificent singing voice and, unknown to her, completely under Svengali's dominance. He is convinced she will make him wealthy when he has prepared her for singing before the heads of Europe. The real Trilby is completely tone deaf and whenever she opens her mouth to sing her beloved "Ben Bolt" is quickly discouraged.
All this is happening as the love between her and Billee deepens, in fact she is lured away by Svengali on the eve of her engagement. Young does very well as Trilby, a carefree happy go lucky model who enjoys an occasional cigarette, she becomes almost a somnambulistic diva under the evil spell. As Svengali must expend all his time keeping Trilby's soul in his power, his own body is weakened and he suffers a series of heart attacks - whenever these occur Trilby's old fun loving self returns and Young handles the changes terrifically. Even though Maurice Tourner was just starting to be noticed as a director there are some memorable scenes - one in which the camera seems suspended from the ceiling, showing a small bare room to every advantage and again at the engagement party where a group of guests do an impromptu can can, giving to the drama happening in the other room an even more highly charged effect.
For once Young actually looked young - in a lot of photos she appears quite matronly despite being only in her mid to late 20s ie "The Eyes of Youth" (1919) etc.