The Probation Wife is a 1919 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Sidney Franklin and starring Norma Talmadge.[1][2] Talmadge served as her own producer with distribution through Select Pictures.

The Probation Wife
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySidney Franklin
Written byAngie Ousley Rooser (story)
Kathryn Stuart (scenario)
Produced byNorma Talmadge
Joseph Schenck
CinematographyDavid Abel
Production
company
Norma Talmadge Film Corporation
Distributed bySelect Pictures
Release date
  • May 24, 1919 (1919-05-24)
Running time
60 minutes; 5 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Copies of this film are held at the Library of Congress and the George Eastman House Motion Picture Collection.[3][4]

Plot

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As described in a film magazine,[5] novelist Harrison Wade (Meighan) goes with his fiancée and a wealthy rouge to a resort where wine and women are to be held for the asking. Disgusted with his fiancé's flirtations, he meets Jo (Talmadge), an orphan kept captive, and gives her money to escape. She fails in her attempt and is later sent to a reformatory, from which she escapes and makes her way to the city. To save her from recapture, Wade marries her, promising to divorce her when her probation is over. His former fiancé, now married to the millionaire, continues to take Wade, whom she really loves, around with her. Wade's best friend Huntley McMerton (Francis) persuades Jo to appear with him at various cafes in order to get Wade to declare that he loves her. This Wade is finally forced to do, and they then explain their scheme to him and the couple lives happily.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ Progressive Silent Film List: The Probattion Wife at silentera.com
  2. ^ The AFI Catalog of Feature Film: The Probation Wife
  3. ^ The Probation Wife at the Norma Talmadge website, by Greta de Groat
  4. ^ The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Probation Wife
  5. ^ "Reviews: The Probation Wife". Exhibitors Herald. 8 (14). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 34. March 29, 1919.
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