Alimony (1917) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A rejected woman's revenge scheme manipulates a marriage through fabricated divorce proceedings before the conspiracy is exposed.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Jilted Woman's Revenge

Bernice Bristol Flint is introduced as a grass widow connected to profitable divorce attorneys. Her anger grows when Howard Turner becomes less devoted to her.

Key Events

• Bernice's Divorced Status — Bernice is introduced as an attractive grass widow associated with divorce proceedings. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint Location: Not specified
• Attorney Associations — Bernice associates intimately with divorce attorneys who profit from large alimony settlements. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone Location: Not specified
• Howard's Waning Affection — Howard has not remained devoted to Bernice during her latest divorce. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Bernice Feels Jilted — Bernice becomes furious at Howard's waning ardor and regards herself as practically jilted. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Revenge Is Planned — Bernice decides to take revenge on Howard for his loss of devotion. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint Location: Not specified

Marriage as a Weapon

Bernice manipulates Howard into marrying her charming guest. The marriage becomes the foundation of her intended revenge.

Key Events

• Revenge Is Planned — Bernice decides to take revenge on Howard for his loss of devotion. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint Location: Not specified
• A Marriage Is Engineered — Bernice interests Howard in a charming guest and brings about his marriage to her. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Newlywed Happiness — Howard enters married life after Bernice's successful matchmaking intervention. Characters: Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Elijah Joins Bernice — Bernice secures Elijah Stone's assistance in separating the newlyweds. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone Location: Not specified
• Separation Scheme Begins — Bernice and Elijah begin their coordinated effort to break apart the marriage. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone, Howard Turner Location: Not specified

The Manufactured Crisis

With Elijah Stone's assistance, Bernice works to separate the newlyweds. A fabricated case and repeated misunderstandings make the couple miserable.

Key Events

• Separation Scheme Begins — Bernice and Elijah begin their coordinated effort to break apart the marriage. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone, Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• A Case Is Framed — Elijah helps construct a case intended to make marital happiness impossible. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone, Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Misunderstandings Multiply — Manufactured circumstances create repeated misunderstandings within the marriage. Characters: Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Marital Misery Deepens — The couple suffers as the unexplained misunderstandings continue. Characters: Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Truth Remains Hidden — The couple cannot explain the forces producing their continuing marital distress. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone, Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Confederates Reconsider — Confederates connected with Bernice and Elijah become involved in exposing the conspiracy. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone Location: Not specified

The Conspiracy Unravels

The couple remains unable to explain its suffering until confederates of Bernice and Elijah turn state's evidence. Their testimony exposes the scheme.

Key Events

• Confederates Reconsider — Confederates connected with Bernice and Elijah become involved in exposing the conspiracy. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone Location: Not specified
• State's Evidence Offered — The conspirators' confederates turn state's evidence against the guilty parties. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone Location: Not specified
• The Frame-Up Exposed — The evidence reveals the manipulation behind the couple's unexplained suffering. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone, Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Guilty Parties Convicted — The guilty woman and man are convicted after the conspiracy is exposed. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone Location: Not specified

Peace After Conviction

The guilty conspirators are convicted, relieving Howard and his bride. The couple resumes its honeymoon in peace and quiet.

Key Events

• Guilty Parties Convicted — The guilty woman and man are convicted after the conspiracy is exposed. Characters: Bernice Bristol Flint, Elijah Stone Location: Not specified
• Howard Is Relieved — Howard is greatly relieved when the forces harming the marriage are defeated. Characters: Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Honeymoon Resumes — The bride and groom continue their honeymoon after the conspiracy collapses. Characters: Howard Turner Location: Not specified
• Peaceful Married Future — The honeymoon proceeds in peace and quiet following the convictions. Characters: Howard Turner Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• Bernice's Social World — Bernice is presented as a grass widow closely connected with divorce attorneys who profit from large alimony cases.
  • Grass Widow Status — Bernice is identified as a divorced or separated woman.
  • Attorney Connections — She associates intimately with divorce attorneys who secure lucrative divorces.
• Howard's Rejection — Howard's reduced devotion transforms a former romantic connection into Bernice's motive for revenge.
  • Waning Affection — Howard no longer remains devoted to Bernice during her latest divorce.
  • Revenge Motive — Bernice feels practically jilted and decides to retaliate.
• Engineered Marriage — Bernice uses matchmaking to place Howard into a marriage that can later become the target of her revenge.
  • New Romantic Introduction — Bernice interests Howard in her charming guest.
  • Wedding Arrangement — She succeeds in bringing about Howard's marriage to the guest.
• Legal Conspiracy — Bernice recruits Elijah Stone to turn the marriage into a target for an unscrupulous divorce strategy.
  • Elijah's Assistance — The unprincipled divorce attorney helps Bernice separate the newlyweds.
  • Fabricated Case — Together they frame a case that threatens marital happiness.
• Manufactured Misery — The scheme produces unexplained misunderstandings that make the married couple suffer.
  • Repeated Misunderstandings — The couple encounters many misunderstandings generated by the conspiracy.
  • Marital Suffering — Their happiness deteriorates because the underlying causes cannot be explained.
• Exposure And Peace — The conspiracy collapses when confederates testify, leading to convictions and the restoration of the honeymoon.
  • State's Evidence — Confederates of the divorcee and attorney turn state's evidence.
  • Honeymoon Resumed — After the guilty parties are convicted, the bride and groom continue in peace and quiet.

Directed by

Emmett J. Flynn

Key Cast

• Lois Wilson — Marjorie Lansing
• George Fisher — Howard Turner
• Josephine Whittell — Bernice Bristol Flint
• Wallace Worsley — John Flint
• Arthur Allardt — Elijah Stone