The Dressmaker from Paris

In 1925 Paul Bern directed The Dressmaker In Paris. This "super-production" featured gowns designed by Travi Banton costing $50,000. The plot is about a doughboy named Billy Brent (Allan Forrest) who falls for the beautiful Fifi (Leatrice Joy) in 1918 Paris. They lose touch when he returns to the front. After the war Billy is managing a clothing store and engaged to the owner's daughter (Mildred Harris). Billy invites famed designer Madame Louise to present a fashion show. She brings along 14 glamorous models (including starlets Sally Rand, Eugenia Gilbert, and Yola d'Avril). Billy is shocked to discover that Madame Louise is his lost love Fifi. Now he must decide whether he will marry his fiance or go away with Fifi.

Director Paul Bern gave his girlfriend Olive Borden a small role as one of the models. Olive would become a successful actress before dying penniless in 1947. The Dressmaker From Paris got rave reviews when it was released in March of 1925. Audiences especially loves all the gorgeous gowns. Some theaters even held fashion shows to go along with the film. Unfortunately this movie is now considered lost.

From this point on, Cecil B. DeMille was a bit of filmmaking Nomad in the wilderness, following in the footsteps of Samuel Goldwyn. He wanted complete creative control over his films, and could only achieve that by setting up his own production company. Needless to say that this film was as empty as his previous attempts.