The Beautiful and Damned (film)

The Beautiful and Damned is a 1922 American silent romantic drama film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Marie Prevost, Kenneth Harlan, and Harry Myers. It is based on the 1922 novel of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The film tells the story of Anthony Patch, a wealthy Harvard graduate, and his marriage to Gloria Gilbert, a beautiful but self-absorbed young woman. The couple spends their time socializing and waiting for Anthony to inherit his grandfather's fortune. As the inheritance is delayed, their relationship deteriorates, and both descend into alcoholism and destructive behavior. Their youthful beauty fades, mirrored by the decay of their love and their lives.

The film is a relatively faithful adaptation of the novel, capturing the Jazz Age atmosphere and exploring themes of disillusionment, the corrosive effects of wealth, and the ephemeral nature of beauty. It is considered a significant early screen adaptation of Fitzgerald's work, though it is less well-known than later adaptations of "The Great Gatsby."

Due to the age of the film, its preservation status is important. While prints of the film are known to exist, their availability and condition may vary. Restoration efforts may have been undertaken to improve the quality of surviving prints.