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La Bohème (1926 film)

La Bohème
La Boheme 1926.jpg
Promotional poster, a long poster possibly Daybill
Directed by King Vidor
Produced by Irving Thalberg
Written by Fred De Gresac
(screenplay)
Harry Behn
Ray Doyle
(continuity)
William M. Conselman
Ruth Cummings
(titles)
Based on La bohème
by Giacomo Puccini
Starring Lillian Gish
John Gilbert
Cinematography Hendrik Sartov ()
Edited by Hugh Wynn
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • February 24, 1926 (1926-02-24)
Running time
95 minutes
Country United States
Language Silent

La Bohème is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by King Vidor, based on the opera La bohème by Giacomo Puccini. Lillian Gish and John Gilbert star as ill-fated lovers.

Several struggling bohemians try to survive in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the winter of 1830, hoping to one day become famous. Playwright Rodolphe (John Gilbert) and his painter roommate Marcel (Gino Corrado) have trouble with Bernard (Eugene Pouyet), the landlord, who threatens to throw them out if they do not come up with the monthly rent that night. Rodolphe reluctantly starts writing an overdue article for a journal editor to earn some money, but the editor rejects his work. With the help of their friends, musician Schaunard (George Hassell) and bookish Colline (Edward Everett Horton), they are able to raise the money.

Their next door neighbor, Mimi (Lillian Gish), an orphaned, friendless embroiderer, has the same problem. Bernard is attracted to her, but when she does not respond to his overture, he issues the same threat. She takes her meager belongings to the municipal pawnshop, but does not receive enough money to pay the rent. On her way back, she is nearly run over (deliberately) by the carriage of the rich, idle aristocrat Vicomte Paul (Roy D'Arcy). She has to fend off his advances.

When Marcel is invited to dinner by his girlfriend and downstairs neighbor, Musette (Renée Adorée), he persuades her to allow Schaunard to join them. Then the musician gets her to include Colline, who asks for Rodolphe. Rodolphe misses his cue to join the festivities in order to become acquainted with Mimi. Seeing how cold she is, he invites her to warm herself in his apartment. Later, after she vacates her room, Rodolphe entices her to share in the food Musette has provided. Then Vicomte Paul comes over. She thinks he wants some embroidery done, not realizing he has baser motives. Rodolphe does and immediately becomes jealous of the aristocrat. In any case, Mimi is able to pay her rent and stay.


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