This movie is not a tragedy. It's a comedy with undertones of sadness. The tragedy is the real life story acted on screen.
Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were the king and queen of hearts of the American public in the 1920's. Visiting royalty and dignitaries were never satisfied until they visited Doug and Mary in their home, Pickfair. The two of them did something that outraged their fans. Doug, the man locked in perpetual boyhood, and little Mary, America's Sweetheart, actually did something that few could conceive. They aged. As they aged, they drifted apart. In 1933, the year before The Private Life of Don Juan came out, they separated.
That year, 1933, Mary acted out her crisis on the screen with Secrets. It was about an established successful couple that separated and her efforts to win him back. In 1934 Doug embraced the part of Don Juan, a once famous man who was falling out of shape and struggling to keep up with his legacy. The part was too close to its portrayer. It even has a young vigorous man who is mistaken for Don Juan, as Doug jr. Was close enough to his father that Doug Sr. Resented him.
Secrets ended Mary's spectacular acting career. Don Juan was Doug's final role. Ten years before Doug lit up the screen with his greatest triumph - The Thief of Bagdad. Just a few years after Don Juan Douglas Fairbanks was gone. The world will never again feel so young.
Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were the king and queen of hearts of the American public in the 1920's. Visiting royalty and dignitaries were never satisfied until they visited Doug and Mary in their home, Pickfair. The two of them did something that outraged their fans. Doug, the man locked in perpetual boyhood, and little Mary, America's Sweetheart, actually did something that few could conceive. They aged. As they aged, they drifted apart. In 1933, the year before The Private Life of Don Juan came out, they separated.
That year, 1933, Mary acted out her crisis on the screen with Secrets. It was about an established successful couple that separated and her efforts to win him back. In 1934 Doug embraced the part of Don Juan, a once famous man who was falling out of shape and struggling to keep up with his legacy. The part was too close to its portrayer. It even has a young vigorous man who is mistaken for Don Juan, as Doug jr. Was close enough to his father that Doug Sr. Resented him.
Secrets ended Mary's spectacular acting career. Don Juan was Doug's final role. Ten years before Doug lit up the screen with his greatest triumph - The Thief of Bagdad. Just a few years after Don Juan Douglas Fairbanks was gone. The world will never again feel so young.