Slave of Desire

Slave of Desire
Lobby card
Directed by George D. Baker
Written by Alice D. G. Miller (adaptation)
Charles W. Whittaker (scenario)
Based on La Peau de chagrin
by Honoré de Balzac
Produced by Samuel Goldwyn
Gilbert E. Gable
Starring George Walsh
Bessie Love
Carmel Myers
Cinematography John W. Boyle
Production
company
Distributed by Goldwyn Pictures
Release date
  • October 14, 1923 (U.S.)
Running time
 7 reels; 6,673 feet
Country United States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

Slave of Desire (originally titled The Magic Skin) is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by George D. Baker, produced and distributed by Goldwyn Pictures. It was based on the novel La Peau de chagrin by Honoré de Balzac, first published in 1831. The Balzac novel had previously been filmed in 1909 as The Wild Ass's Skin, which was more faithful to the original novel.

The picture stars George Walsh, Bessie Love, and Carmel Myers. A print of the film is preserved in the collection of Cinémathèque Française.

Plot

In Paris, when failed poet Raphael, Marquis de Valentin (Walsh) meets the glamorous Countess Fedora (Myers), who promotes Raphael as a poet. He falls in love with her, but she rejects him.

When he is about to commit suicide by jumping into the Seine, Raphael enters an antique shop where he gets a magic piece of leather that can grant wishes. As it grants wishes, the leather becomes smaller. Raphael selfishly uses the wishes for himself, but uses the final wish benevolently, which enables him to be reunited with his true love, Pauline (Love). Countess Fedora is buried under an avalanche.

Cast

Reception

The film received mixed reviews, with many reviewers noted the fanciful plot and subject matter as a hindrance to the film's success.

Carmel Myers's performance was especially highly praised, as were the visuals, especially Myers's wardrobe.