Garden of Eden, The

The Garden of Eden is a 1928 silent drama film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Corinne Griffith, Louise Dresser, and Lowell Sherman. Set in New York City during the height of the Roaring Twenties, the film explores the themes of love, ambition, and social class through the story of a young woman’s rise from poverty to wealth and status.

The film follows the journey of Toni LeBrun (Corinne Griffith), a young woman from a poor background who dreams of becoming a great artist. Toni lives with her mother (Louise Dresser) and younger brother in a cramped apartment in the lower East Side of Manhattan. Despite her family’s financial struggles, Toni remains determined to pursue her passion for art and spends all her spare time drawing and painting.

One day, Toni meets and falls in love with Dick Grady (Lowell Sherman), a wealthy and charming socialite. Despite their different backgrounds, the two begin a whirlwind romance and Toni is soon swept up into a glamorous world of high society and luxury. Dick encourages Toni’s artistic aspirations and introduces her to his wealthy friends who offer her the opportunity to exhibit her work and gain recognition as an artist.

However, as Toni’s star rises, she begins to realize that the world of the wealthy is not as perfect as it seems. She is subjected to the jealousies and backstabbing of her fellow socialites, and she discovers that Dick is not the ideal partner she thought he was. Toni’s ambition leads her down a dangerous path, ultimately leading to heartbreak and tragedy.

The Garden of Eden was a critical and commercial success upon its release, praised for its portrayal of the glamour and excess of the Roaring Twenties as well as its exploration of the social and class divisions of the era. The film’s star, Corinne Griffith, was particularly praised for her performance as Toni LeBrun, with critics calling her a “sparkling discovery” and “one of the brightest new stars of the screen”.

Despite its success, The Garden of Eden is now considered a lost film, with no known copies in existence. However, the film’s legacy lives on through photographs, reviews, and contemporary accounts, which paint a vivid picture of the film’s stunning visuals, complex characters, and timeless themes.