Miss Lulu Bett (film)

Miss Lulu Bett is a 1921 American silent comedy-drama film directed by William C. deMille. It is based on the 1920 novel and Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by Zona Gale. The film stars Lois Wilson as Lulu Bett, a spinster living as a domestic servant in the household of her overbearing sister and brother-in-law.

The story revolves around Lulu's monotonous existence and her unexpected marriage to her brother-in-law's charming but unreliable brother, Ninian Deacon. This marriage initially transforms Lulu's life, offering her a brief period of happiness and independence. However, the situation is complicated by the revelation that Ninian may not be legally divorced from his first wife, casting doubt on the validity of their marriage and throwing Lulu's future into uncertainty.

The film explores themes of female empowerment, social constraints, and the importance of self-discovery. It contrasts Lulu's initial meekness with her eventual assertion of independence. The film was adapted into a sound film in 1926, also titled Miss Lulu Bett, directed by Victor Fleming. While both adaptations are based on Gale's work, the 1921 silent version is notable for capturing the nuances of Lulu's internal struggles and the societal expectations placed upon women during that era through its visual storytelling. The film's reception was generally positive, with critics praising Wilson's performance and deMille's direction.