''No Woman Knows'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Tod Browning. It was adopted from the Edna Ferber story ''Fanny Herself'' (1917). A complete print of the film survives at the

Filmoteca Española The Filmoteca Española (Spanish Cinemathèque) is an official institution of the Spanish Ministry of Culture. Its objective is to restore, investigate and conserve the film heritage of Spain and its diffusion. Sites Its cinema where films are ...

in Madrid.

Plot

As described in a film magazine, the Brandeis operate a little dry goods store in Winnebago, Wisconsin. Ferdinand (Davidson) and Molly (Marvin) are the parents and Fanny (Radom / Scott) and Theodore (Lee / Davidson) are the daughter and son, with Aloysius (Hoy) an adopted Irish youth. Theodore shows talent for the violin and under Herr Bauer (Edwards) he practices several hours each day. Schabelitz, a famous violinist, during a concert tour hears Theodore play and suggests to the Brandeis that he be sent to Europe to study. Times are poor, but Molly with the assistance of Rabbi Thalman (Warren) persuades "Papa" Brandeis that it should be done, and the Boy is sent. Molly works the store, does the housework, and looks after the children, happy in the thought that some day her boy will become famous and rescue her from drudgery. By and by Papa dies, and Fanny, grown to womanhood, denies herself all pleasures such as a new dress in order to maintain Theodore at Dresden. What they do not know is that her brother's frequent requests for money are to keep him and his wife, whom he married the first year he was abroad, from starvation. One day when Fanny is returning home from skating, the only pleasure she allows herself, she encounters tragedy in discovering her mother dead. Fanny breaks down, and unburdens her pent-up feelings. Left to her own resources she goes to Chicago and gains employment in a mail order house. Theodore, having been deserted by his wife, returns home with his baby. They take up their abode with Fanny, and she becomes attached to the youngster. Through her influence with her employer Michael Fenger (Holmes) to have Theodore give a concert and looks forward to the event as a personal triumph. However, on the evening of the event Theodore receives message from his wife asking him to return to her. He leaves a note to Fanny pinned to the telegram stating what he has done.

Cast

Max Davidson Max Davidson (May 23, 1875 – September 4, 1950) was a German-American film actor known for his comedic Jewish persona during the silent film era. With a career spanning over thirty years, Davidson appeared in over 180 films. Career Born i ...

as Ferdinand Brandeis * Snitz Edwards as Herr Bauer * Grace Marvin as Molly Brandeis * Bernice Radom as Little Fanny Brandeis * Danny Hoy as Aloysius *

E. Alyn Warren Edward Alyn Warren (June 2, 1874 – January 22, 1940) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 100 films between 1915 and 1940. In some early silent films he was credited as Fred Warren or E. A. Warren. He was born in Richmond, Vir ...

as Rabbi Thalman (credited as E.A. Warren) * Raymond Lee as Little Theodore Brandeis *

Josef Swickard Josef Swickard (26 June 1866 – 1 March 1940) was a Prussian-born veteran stage and screen character actor, who had toured with stock companies in Europe, South Africa, and South America. Career Swickard emigrated to the United States from Ger ...

as The Great Schabelitz * Richard Cummings as Father Ritzpatrick * Joseph Sterns as Little Clarence Hyle *

Mabel Julienne Scott Mabel Julienne Scott (November 2, 1892 – October 1, 1976) was an American stage and silent movie actress. Biography Scott was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Joseph and Martie Scott, of French and Norwegian heritage. A graduate of No ...

as Fanny Brandeis * John Davidson as Theodore Brandeis *

Earl Schenck Earl O. Schenck (13 May 1889 – 1962) was an American film actor. He appeared in 41 films between 1916 and 1946. Career After playing leading roles on Broadway and in Hollywood during the Silent era opposite such stars as Mae Murray, M ...

as Clarence Hyle * Stuart Holmes as Michael Fenger

References

External links

* * * *Ferber, Edna (1917),
Fanny Herself
', New York: Frederick A. Stokes Co., on the Internet Archive {{DEFAULTSORT:No Woman Knows 1921 films 1921 drama films Silent American drama films American silent feature films American black-and-white films Films directed by Tod Browning Films based on works by Edna Ferber Surviving American silent films Universal Pictures films 1920s American films