The Brat


1919

Brief Synopsis

An unkempt chorus girl is arrested on a minor charge. In court, she is spotted by a novelist who is looking for someone of her type on whom to model a character in a book he is writing. He takes her into his home where she is looked down upon by his snobbish family. But the girl brings something to the family unlike anything they have known before.

Film Details

Genre
Adaptation
Release Date
Sep 1, 1919
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Screen Classics, Inc.; The Nazimova Productions
Distribution Company
Metro Pictures Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the play The Brat by Maude Fulton (New York, 5 Mar 1917).

Technical Specs

Sound
Silent
Color
Black and White
Film Length
7 reels

Synopsis

A poor hungry chorus girl nicknamed "The Brat," wrongly arrested for soliciting, is allowed to go to the home of author MacMillan Forrester so that he can study her for his new novel. His mother and his financée Angela disapprove of the arrangement, as does his brother Stephen, who caused her arrest when she rejected his advances. The book progresses well and the Brat develops into a somewhat cultured woman until an unpleasant incident provoked by Angela during the Brat's "rabbit dance" at a society benefit causes her to curse those laughing at her and rush home to pack. She comes upon Stephen robbing his brother's safe and out of pity gives him her own money. When the family accuses her of the theft and she accepts the blame, Stephen, touched by her gesture, confesses. Angela, seeing MacMillan's delight, gives back her ring and leaves. Finally, though, Mrs. Forrester accepts the Brat and MacMillan gives her the engagement ring.

Film Details

Genre
Adaptation
Release Date
Sep 1, 1919
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Screen Classics, Inc.; The Nazimova Productions
Distribution Company
Metro Pictures Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the play The Brat by Maude Fulton (New York, 5 Mar 1917).

Technical Specs

Sound
Silent
Color
Black and White
Film Length
7 reels

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The film had pre-release showings in Los Angeles the week of August 25, 1919. The set included a full theater of 1000 seating capacity built by M. P. Staulcup, assisted by Nazimova, designed along Greek lines, with a glass runway. According to a modern source, Alice Guy Blaché was an assistant director on this film. This film was remade by Fox in 1931 and in 1940. The 1931 film was directed by John Ford and starred Sally O'Neil; the 1940 film, which was titled The Girl from Avenue A, was directed by Otto Brower and starred Jane Withers.