What's great about THE RAGE OF Paris is how effortlessly Fairbanks and Darrieux play off each other. In their first scene together, she takes off her blouse (yes, it's that kind of classic film)– she's a model and thinks he might be interested in using her for a photo shoot. He has no intention of hiring her, but since she's begun to expose herself to him, he allows her to continue. And he lets a few other men in the office look on. It's not as sexist as it may seem. It's all done very tastefully, and the point is that she's charming and naive in a world of wolves, I mean men.
Of course, we know these two characters are fated to fall in love with each other. But there are complications that get in the way of their blossoming relationship. Since she does not get hired to model, she must try to find another way to pay her rent and survive. Two older friends, played by Helen Broderick and Mischa Auer, help her snare a rich husband in the form of Louis Hayward. And this scheme seems to be succeeding, until Fairbanks re- enters her life and tries to stop her gold digging. Is it because he doesn't want Hayward to be screwed over, or is it because he wants the girl for himself?
Of course, we know these two characters are fated to fall in love with each other. But there are complications that get in the way of their blossoming relationship. Since she does not get hired to model, she must try to find another way to pay her rent and survive. Two older friends, played by Helen Broderick and Mischa Auer, help her snare a rich husband in the form of Louis Hayward. And this scheme seems to be succeeding, until Fairbanks re- enters her life and tries to stop her gold digging. Is it because he doesn't want Hayward to be screwed over, or is it because he wants the girl for himself?