FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE (1919)

Very interesting film from 1919 about the ravages of World War I on American society.

Gloria Swanson plays a snooty girl who is loved by both a doctor (Elliott Dexter) and another man (Tom Forman). Her friend (Wanda Hawley) loves Forman. When the war starts Swanson spurns Dexter and marries Forman (whom she doesn't love) because Dexter is needed in the hospital and doesn't go off to war. Forman goes to war. Hawley is crushed by the marriage.

Forman is mangled in France and has word sent that he is dead. Swanson eventually reconciles with Dexter. But on the verge of their engagement party, Forman returns although he is hideously scarred and mutilated. Everyone battles to do the right thing now that they have been given another chance.

Intense film examines the misguided attempts by these people to deal with their errors and move on with their lives. An excellent and serious film but it still boasts a few DeMille flourishes when he shows a "history" of women who have stood by their warriors: Cyda the Viking maiden, the woman who waits for Richard the Lion Heart, and the American Revolution housewife (all played by Swanson).

Marcelle Corday plays the orphan girl. Swanson, Dexter, and Forman (who I had never heard of) are excellent.

Tom Forman committed suicide in 1926 at 32 or 33. He's better remembered today as a director than an actor. You probably have seen "Shadows" (1922) with Lon Chaney. I think it's Chaney's best acting in film. Forman directed that. I also have two other films he directed: 1923's "The Virginian", a weak leading vehicle, but Russell Simpson plays Trampas to perfection, and 1924's "The Fighting American", with young Mary Astor playing second fiddle to Pat O'Malley, Warner Oland, and Raymond Hatton, a potboiler but fun to watch.

not familiar with him at all..... he was very good in the DeMille film though..... thanks for the info on him.....