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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 788

Foolish Wives

1922142 minUnited States
Drama
Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs
142:17
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Erich von Stroheim · Public domain

Synopsis

In Monte Carlo, a confidence trickster passes himself off as Count Karamzin and uses the appearance of aristocratic wealth to approach women. The wife of an American envoy becomes his newest target. As he pursues money and sexual power with help from two accomplices, the people he has already deceived threaten the elegant identity on which his scheme depends.

Cast

DirectorsErich von Stroheim

Behind the scenes

Universal recreated Monte Carlo on an extravagant scale in California, including large studio facades and coastal locations near Monterey. The production's escalating cost became part of its publicity, with the studio promoting it as a million-dollar film.

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 referenceWikidata — 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.

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