Back to the collection

OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 707

A Woman of Paris

192382 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs: 81:24
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Charlie Chaplin · Public domain

Synopsis

Marie leaves her village alone after a misunderstanding prevents her fiancé from joining her in Paris. A year later, she lives comfortably as a wealthy man's mistress. An unexpected reunion with her former lover revives feelings that her new circumstances cannot easily accommodate, forcing her to confront the difference between security, affection and the life she once planned.

Cast

Edna Purviance

Clarence Geldart

Carl Miller

Lydia Knott

Charles K. French

Adolphe Menjou

DirectorsCharles Chaplin

Behind the scenes

Chaplin directs a serious drama led by Edna Purviance and Adolphe Menjou. He appears only briefly, outside his familiar Tramp role, making the film an unusual departure from the comedies audiences associated with him.

Reception and legacy

Some original viewers arrived expecting a Chaplin comedy. The gap between that expectation and the film's dramatic approach affected its reception, despite attempts to explain his different role in the production.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 12, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Edna Purviance — Unknown photographer, 1923; J. Willis Sayre Collection of Theatrical Photographs, University of Washington Libraries, SAYRE 8372 / Wikimedia Commons. · Public domain in the United States (PD-US-expired)
Clarence Geldart — Unknown author Unknown author; J. Willis Sayre Collection of Theatrical Photographs · Public domain
Carl Miller — First National Pictures; screen capture of public domain film The Kid (1921) · Public domain
Lydia Knott — Universal Film Manufacturing Company; Universal Weekly (1922) at the Internet Archive · Public domain
Charles K. French — Film World Publishing; Who's Who in the Film World - edited by Fred C. Justice &Tom R. Smith – 1914 - pg. 109, · Public domain
Adolphe Menjou — CBS Radio · Public domain

Audience rating

Loading ratings…