Society for Sale

Society for Sale is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring William Desmond and Gloria Swanson.^[1] It is not known whether the film currently survives,^[1] which suggests that it is a lost film.

Society for Sale
Film still with William Desmond, Lillian Langdon, and Gloria Swanson
Directed by	Frank Borzage
Written by	Charles J. Wilson
Story by	Ruby M. Ayres
Starring	William Desmond Gloria Swanson
Cinematography	Pliny Horne
Distributed by	Triangle Film Corporation
Release date	April 21, 1918 (1918-04-21)
Running time	5 reels
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

Plot

As described in a film magazine,^[2] the Honorable Billy (Desmond), through his love for Vi Challoner (West) and its attendant expense, finds himself in financial straits and is deserted by the cause of his trouble. In his plight he is approached by Phyllis Clyne (Swanson), who wishes to be introduced into society and is willing to pay for the deception. Honorable Billy seeks to break the agreement when Phyllis apparently becomes enamored with Lord Sheldon (Prior), whose affairs are the subject of gossip. She refuses him his liberty and accuses him of jealousy. After an automobile crash in which Lord Sheldon is killed, she confesses to Billy that he was her father. She then convinces Billy that their engagement should be permanent.

Cast

• William Desmond as Honorable Billy
• Gloria Swanson as Phyllis Clyne
• Herbert Prior as Lord Sheldon
• Charles Dorian as Furnival
• Lillian West as Vi Challoner
• Lillian Langdon as Lady Mary

Reception

Like many American films of the time, Society for Sale was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors cut, in Reel 4, four near views of a woman in low-cut gown seated on couch with Furnival.^[3]