Cecil B. DeMille was known more for his epic films (The Ten Commandments) and gripping dramas (The Whispering Chorus) than for his comedies, but this one is a gem.
Following up on his 1919 Don’t Change Your Husband, in which Joan Swanson mistakenly believes that no husband could be worse than Elliott Dexter, Why Change Your Wife? pits Swanson as a buttoned-up, high-toned wife against BeBe Daniels as the fascinating other woman. The real star of the picture, in Dr. Carli’s educated view, is Bebe Daniels’ sofa, which boasts a phonograph in one arm and a bar in the other. And in the bar is a fancy bottle over whose label the camera lovingly pans, showing the contents (accurately enough in 1920) as Forbidden Fruit.
As it happens, Dr. Carli’s record collection includes both records shown in the film – Swanson’s favorite “The Dying Poet” and Daniels’ choice “Hindustan.” So the livestream (available to subscribers) will feature both, played on the Columbia phonograph that takes over one corner of our parlor. You will hear how Dr. Carli works the melodies into his film accompaniment!
Click here for a $5 ticket to view a recording of the film with live piano accompaniment
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