The Merry Widow (1918 film)

The Merry Widow is a 1918 American silent romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz (credited as Mihály Kertész) and starring Mae Murray and Earle Foxe. It is based on the operetta of the same name by Franz Lehár, though the plot deviates significantly from the source material. The film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures.

While sharing the title with the famous operetta, the 1918 film is not a direct adaptation. The storyline revolves around a dancer, Mae, who is pursued by both a prince and a commoner. Her charm and beauty lead to humorous complications and romantic entanglements. Unlike the operetta, the film places a stronger emphasis on comedic elements and romantic melodrama, while largely dispensing with the operetta's musical aspects.

The film is considered lost, with no known complete prints surviving. Fragments and stills remain, offering glimpses into the lavish production design and the performances of the leading actors. Its disappearance makes it a subject of interest among film historians and silent film enthusiasts. The lavish costumes and sets, typical of the era's grand productions, are evident in surviving photographs. The film's director, Michael Curtiz, later went on to direct numerous successful Hollywood films including Casablanca. The 1918 film is one of several film adaptations of The Merry Widow, a testament to the enduring popularity of Lehár's operetta, even when repurposed for non-musical storytelling.