Human Desire (1919)
The orphan Bernice (Stewart) is raised almost to womanhood by the good sisters in an Italian convent. Worshiping a picture of the Madonna and Child, she is seized by a great desire to have a child she can call her own. Running away to America, where she has been told babies are plentiful, she is taken in by Robert Bruce, an artist whose wife has refused to divorce him, and poses for his projected masterpiece, a Madonna. Bernice falls in love with the baby borrowed for this posing and is filled with sorrow when the child is taken away. Robert, who has become sincerely but honorably in love with the girl, adopts a baby for her. His wife meets Bernice and the baby, believes the worst, and insults her. Bernice takes the child and leaves the house, becoming lost in the city and finally finding refuge in a hospital where the child dies. Robert learns from his wife the reason for Bernice's departure, locates the girl, and, after divorcing his wife, marries her.
Cast
- Anita Stewart - Berenice
- Conway Tearle - Robert Lane
- Vernon Steele - Jasper Norton
- Eulalie Jensen - Helen Lane
- Naomi Childers - Marguerite Hunt
- Templar Saxe - Paul Stapleton
- Hattie Delaro - Miss March
Screenplay
- Violet Irwin (Novel)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Human Desire about?
- The orphan Bernice (Stewart) is raised almost to womanhood by the good sisters in an Italian convent. Worshiping a picture of the Madonna and Child, she is seized by a great desire to have a child she can call her own. Running away to America, where she has been told babies are plentiful, she is taken in by Robert Bruce, an artist whose wife has refused to divorce him, and poses for his projected masterpiece, a Madonna. Bernice falls in love with the baby borrowed for this posing and is filled with sorrow when the child is taken away. Robert, who has become sincerely but honorably in love with the girl, adopts a baby for her. His wife meets Bernice and the baby, believes the worst, and insults her. Bernice takes the child and leaves the house, becoming lost in the city and finally finding refuge in a hospital where the child dies. Robert learns from his wife the reason for Bernice's departure, locates the girl, and, after divorcing his wife, marries her.
- Who directed Human Desire?
- Human Desire was directed by Wilfrid North.
- Who stars in Human Desire?
- Human Desire stars Anita Stewart, Conway Tearle, Vernon Steele, Eulalie Jensen, Naomi Childers, Templar Saxe.
- How long is Human Desire?
- Human Desire has a runtime of 56m (56 minutes).
- What genre is Human Desire?
- Human Desire is a Drama, Romance film.