I Want to Forget (1918)

Genres - Action, Spy Film, War  |   Sub-Genres - War Drama  |  
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Synopsis by Janiss Garza

Fox signed Evelyn Nesbit purely for sensational value. Even at this late date, she was still notorious as the cause for what was considered in 1906 to be "the crime of the century" -- the murder of her ex-lover, architect Stanford White, by her husband Harry Thaw. So most of the films she made for the studio were sheer exploitation. This one, however, was surprisingly good. Nesbit plays Varda Deering, a dancer who is involved with August Von Grossman (Alphonz Ethier), a suspicious character under scrutiny by the U.S. Secret Service. When she meets Lieutenant John Long (Henry Clive), he falls for her, and she for him. But he won't stand for her dealings with Von Grossman so eventually he leaves her. What he doesn't realize is that the Secret Service has contacted her and asked her to spy on Von Grossman for them. She has agreed, and becomes involved in his espionage, all for the benefit of the U.S. government. It turns out that the chauffeur is also working for the Secret Service, and he lends a hand to Varda. With the help of her aides, she breaks into Von Grossman's safe, gets the needed information and takes off in a car. The spies pursue, but are conveniently killed when their car runs afoul of an express train. With the escapade over, Varda can finally explain all to her now-understanding Lieutenant. Nesbit's young son, Russell Thaw, had a bit part as the chauffeur's kid -- a touch that must have delighted Fox's press agents.

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Keywords

war, conflict, employment, espionage, femme-fatale, handsome, husband, love, marriage, meeting, nasty, patriotism, rampage, Secret-Service, secrets, seduction, soldier, talent, vamp