Slave of Desire

Slave of Desire (originally titled The Magic Skin)^[3] is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by George D. Baker, produced and distributed by Goldwyn Pictures.^[4][5] It was based on the novel La Peau de chagrin^[a] by Honoré de Balzac, first published in 1831.^[4] The Balzac novel had previously been filmed in 1909 as The Wild Ass's Skin, which was more faithful to the original novel.^[6]

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	Goldwyn Pictures
Distributed by	Goldwyn Pictures
Release date	October 14, 1923 (1923-10-14) (U.S.)[1]
Running time	7 reels; 6,673 feet[2]
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

The picture stars George Walsh, Bessie Love, and Carmel Myers. A print of the film is preserved in the collection of Cinémathèque Française.^[7][8]

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.^{[2][4][9][10][11]}

Cast

• George Walsh as Raphael, Marquis de Valentin
• Bessie Love as Pauline Gaudin
• Carmel Myers as Countess Fedora
• Wally Van as Restignac
• Edward Connelly as The Antiquarian
• Eulalie Jensen as Mrs. Gaudin
• Herbert Prior as Mr. Gaudin
• William Orlamond as Champrose
• Nick De Ruiz as Tallifer
• William von Hardenburg as The General
• Harmon MacGregor as Emilie
• George Periolat as The Duke
• Harry Lorraine as Finot
• Calvert Carter as The Major Domo^[2][4]

Production

Slave of Desire was partially shot on location in Chatsworth, Los Angeles.^[12]

Reception

The film received mixed reviews, with many reviewers noted the fanciful plot and subject matter as a hindrance to the film's success.^{[2][13][14][15][16]}

Carmel Myers's performance was especially highly praised,^[4] as were the visuals, especially Myers's wardrobe.^[4][10]