Men Who Have Made Love to Me


Men Who Have Made Love to Me is a 1918 American silent biographical film starring Mary MacLane, based on her book I, Mary MacLane, and directed by Arthur Berthelet. The film was produced by early American filmmaker, George K. Spoor.

Cast

The story of six affairs of the heart, drawn from controversial feminist author Mary MacLane's 1910 syndicated article by the same name, later published in book form in 1917. None of MacLane's affairs - with "the bank clerk," "the prize-fighter," "the husband of another," and so on - last, and in each of them MacLane emerges dominant. Re-enactments of the love affairs are interspersed with MacLane addressing the camera, and talking contemplatively with her maid on the meaning and prospects of love.

Technical Innovations

This film represents the earliest recorded breaking of the fourth wall in serious cinema, as the enigmatic authoress - who portrays herself - interrupts the vignettes onscreen to address the audience directly. This film is also the first in which writer, star, narrator, and subject are unified.

Preservation status

It is not known whether the film currently survives, and Men Who Have Made Love to Me is now thought to be a lost film.