The Devil's Needle

The Devil's Needle

1916
1h 6m
6.5

6.5/10

6 votes • View on IMDb
Overview

Renee is a French artist's model who uses morphine as an escape from the dull reality of her life. She recommends it to a neurotic artist because "it kindles the fires of genius." The artist quickly becomes addicted to the drug and the quality of his work begins to disintegrate. He takes on a new model, marries her, and starts her on the same path of moral degradation, until a guilt-ridden Renee decides to intervene in order to save them both. According to silent film historian Kevin Brownlow, THE DEVIL'S NEEDLE was banned by the state of Ohio, but the censor board reversed its decision after recognizing the positive message beneath the film's scandalous surface. This special edition was mastered from a 35mm preservation print of the 1923 re-release version. The only known surviving copy, the element suffers significant nitrate decomposition during some scenes.

Status: Released

Language: EN

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Production Information

Production Companies
Fine Arts Film Company
Production Countries
United States of America
Spoken Languages
No Language

Keywords

Quick Facts

Release Date August 12, 1916
Status Released
Language EN
IMDb ID tt0006589

Cast

Norma Talmadge
Norma Talmadge

Renee Duprez

Tully Marshall
Tully Marshall

John Minturn

Marguerite Marsh
Marguerite Marsh

Patricia Devon

F.A. Turner
F.A. Turner

Marshall Devon

Howard Gaye
Howard Gaye

Sir Gordon Galloway

John E. Brennan
John E. Brennan

Fritz

Paul Le Blanc
Paul Le Blanc

Buck

Monte Blue
Monte Blue

Bartender (uncredited)

William Courtright
William Courtright

Old Farmer (uncredited)

Key Crew

Chester Withey
Director
Roy Somerville
Writer
Chester Withey
Writer