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Gimme (1923)

The 1920s version of women's liberation had nothing to do with women having equal pay for equal work -- it meant that a wife should share equally in her husband's earnings. Author/director Rupert Hughes was considered broad-minded for stating just that in this light domestic comedy. Fanny Daniels (Helene Chadwick) is an independent young woman who works for interior designer Claude Lambert (David Imboden). At her job she meets Clifton Ferris (Gaston Glass), whose wealthy mother (Kate Lester) is one of Lambert's clients. The two fall in love, but Mrs. Ferris does not approve of the match. Clifton rebels and goes to work. Fanny borrows 500 dollars from Lambert for her trousseau and after the wedding he wants the money returned. But Clifton pays little attention to financial matters, and Fanny is loathe to ask for the sum. Finally she secretly draws a check for Lamber on her husband's account. Clifton blows up when he finds out and Fanny walks out. She goes back to work for Lambert, who lures her to his home and attacks her. Clifton, who realizes that his wife deserves better treatment, arrives in time to put a halt to Lambert's unwanted advances. Rather surprisingly, film star Henry Walthall has a bit part as a househusband. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi