The last of director Rupert Julian's five 1918 releases, The Fires of Youth starred Ruth Clifford as Lucille, the neglected and misunderstood young wife of wealthy middle-ager John Linforth (Ralph Lewis). Out of boredom, Lucille begins spending time with Linforth's best friend Ronald Standish (George Fisher). At first, Linforth is happy that his wife has found a companion but soon begins to suspect that Lucille and Ronald are more than just chums. He is right, of course: the two young people have fallen desperately in love, but out of respect for her husband Lucille does not consummate the romance. This doesn't prevent an oily blackmailer from threatening to blow the whistle on Lucille and Ronald unless she pays up immediately. Hoping to spare her sweetheart a scandal, Lucille confesses all to her husband, promising to give up Ronald. But Linforth is more understanding than has been previously indicated, and he magnanimously offers to give Lucille a divorce -- and a huge cash settlement -- so that she can be free to wed the man she loves.
by Hal Erickson
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