We Can't Have Everything (1918) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A romantic drama follows Charity and Jim through failed marriages, rival attachments, war, separation, and eventual reunion.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Marriage Under Strain

Charity begins deeply in love with her husband but discovers his love for Zada. She responds by divorcing him, while Jim's long-standing love remains unresolved.

Key Events

• Charity Loves Her Husband — Charity is deeply in love with her husband at the beginning of the story. Characters: Charity Coe Cheever Location: Unspecified marital setting
• Jim's Childhood Love — Jim has loved Charity since their childhood days. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Their childhood past
• Husband Loves Zada — Charity discovers her husband is in love with popular dancer Zada. Characters: Charity Coe Cheever, Zada L'Etoile Location: Unspecified marital setting
• Charity Seeks Divorce — Charity divorces her husband after learning about his love for Zada. Characters: Charity Coe Cheever Location: Unspecified legal setting
• Jim Cannot Win Charity — Jim remains unable to win Charity while she is still married. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Unspecified social setting

A Marriage Of Disappointment

Jim cannot win Charity and marries Kedzie instead. Their marriage is soon threatened when Kedzie meets the Marquis of Strathdene during Jim's absence.

Key Events

• Jim Cannot Win Charity — Jim remains unable to win Charity while she is still married. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Unspecified social setting
• Jim Marries Kedzie — Disappointed by Charity, Jim marries film actress Kedzie Thropp. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Kedzie Thropp Location: Unspecified marital setting
• Jim Leaves Temporarily — During one of Jim's absences, Kedzie encounters a new romantic possibility. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Kedzie Thropp Location: Unspecified setting
• Kedzie Meets Marquis — Kedzie meets the young British airman Marquis of Strathdene. Characters: Kedzie Thropp, Marquis Of Strathdene Location: Unspecified social setting
• Kedzie Falls In Love — Kedzie falls very much in love with the British aviator. Characters: Kedzie Thropp, Marquis Of Strathdene Location: Unspecified social setting

Storm And Divorce

Jim and Charity are forced to shelter together during a storm. At the same time, Kedzie uses the circumstances to sue Jim and pursue the Marquis.

Key Events

• Kedzie Falls In Love — Kedzie falls very much in love with the British aviator. Characters: Kedzie Thropp, Marquis Of Strathdene Location: Unspecified social setting
• Jim And Charity Ride — Jim and Charity go out for a ride together. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Road outside town
• Storm Forces Shelter — A storm forces Jim and Charity to remain at a roadhouse. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Roadhouse
• Kedzie Seizes Her Chance — Kedzie uses the opportunity to sue Jim for divorce. Characters: Kedzie Thropp, Jim Dyckman Location: Unspecified legal setting
• Kedzie Marries Marquis — Kedzie divorces Jim and marries the English aviator. Characters: Kedzie Thropp, Marquis Of Strathdene Location: Unspecified marital setting

War Separates Lives

Kedzie marries the Marquis before the war changes everyone’s circumstances. Jim enters the trenches in Europe, while Charity is placed in a convalescent hospital.

Key Events

• Kedzie Marries Marquis — Kedzie divorces Jim and marries the English aviator. Characters: Kedzie Thropp, Marquis Of Strathdene Location: Unspecified marital setting
• War Begins — The start of the war changes the lives and locations of the central characters. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever, Kedzie Thropp, Marquis Of Strathdene Location: Europe
• Jim Enters The Trenches — Jim is placed in the trenches in Europe during the war. Characters: Jim Dyckman Location: Trenches in Europe
• Charity Enters Hospital — Charity is placed in a convalescent hospital during the wartime period. Characters: Charity Coe Cheever Location: Convalescent hospital
• War Separates The Lovers — Jim and Charity remain separated by war and their different wartime circumstances. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Europe

Love Finally Returns

After their wartime separation, Jim and Charity meet again. Their reunion allows the love that began in childhood to finally prevail.

Key Events

• War Separates The Lovers — Jim and Charity remain separated by war and their different wartime circumstances. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Europe
• Jim And Charity Reunite — Jim and Charity meet again after Jim's service and Charity's hospitalization. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Convalescent hospital
• Love Finally Wins — Their reunion confirms that Jim and Charity's love has finally prevailed. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever Location: Convalescent hospital
• Romantic Resolution — The romantic complications settle with Charity and Jim reunited and Kedzie married to the Marquis. Characters: Jim Dyckman, Charity Coe Cheever, Kedzie Thropp, Marquis Of Strathdene Location: Unspecified postwar setting

Story Breakdown

• Charity's First Marriage — Charity's love for her husband collapses after she discovers his attachment to Zada.
  • Marital Devotion — Charity begins the story very much in love with her husband.
  • Zada's Disruption — Charity learns that her husband is in love with the popular dancer Zada.
• Jim's Unrequited Love — Jim's enduring love for Charity is blocked by her existing marriage.
  • Childhood Attachment — Jim has loved Charity since their childhood days.
  • Impossible Courtship — Jim cannot win Charity while she remains married.
• Jim Marries Kedzie — Disappointed by Charity, Jim enters a marriage with film actress Kedzie Thropp.
  • Romantic Disappointment — Jim is disappointed when he cannot be with Charity.
  • Kedzie's Marriage — Jim responds to his disappointment by marrying Kedzie.
• Kedzie Meets The Marquis — Kedzie's encounter with the British airman creates a new romantic direction.
  • Unexpected Meeting — During Jim's absence, Kedzie meets the Marquis of Strathdene.
  • New Passion — Kedzie falls very much in love with the young aviator.
• Divorce And Remarriage — Kedzie ends her marriage to Jim and marries the Marquis.
  • Storm-Bound Opportunity — Jim and Charity are forced to remain at a roadhouse during a storm.
  • English Aviator's Wedding — Kedzie sues Jim for divorce and marries the Marquis.
• War And Separation — The war places Jim in the trenches and Charity in a convalescent hospital.
  • Jim In Europe — Jim serves in the trenches in Europe after the war begins.
  • Charity In Hospital — Charity spends the wartime period in a convalescent hospital.
• Final Romantic Reunion — Jim and Charity meet again, allowing their long-delayed love to succeed.
  • A Second Meeting — The separated pair encounters each other again after their wartime experiences.
  • Love Prevails — The story concludes with Jim and Charity's love finally winning.

Directed by

Cecil B. DeMille

Key Cast

• Kathlyn Williams — Charity Coe Cheever
• Elliott Dexter — Jim Dyckman
• Wanda Hawley — Kedzie Thropp
• Sylvia Breamer — Zada L'Etoile
• Thurston Hall — Peter Cheever