Talk of the Town (1918)

Synopsis
Her strict upbringing is driving Genevra French (Dorothy Phillips) crazy, so when she gets her hand on a book called "How to Attract the Opposite Sex," she takes its advice to heart. She uses her newly found wiles on Lawrence Tabor (William Stowell) and gets him to marry her. Only after the wedding does she tell him she married him just to get away from her family, and that she intends to do exactly as she pleases. She becomes fascinated with parasite Jack Lanchome (Lon Chaney, in a role atypical for him -- at the time, he generally played gangsters) and manages to meet with him on several occasions. The last time is over supper at a disreputable cafe, and he assaults her. Lawrence arrives just as Genevra is fighting to escape Jack's grasp, and she begs Lawrence to take her home, promising that in the future she will behave herself. Later, Jack comes to Lawrence's office, but he refuses the check that Lawrence gives him, explaining that fooling Genevra was the first good thing he's done in his life. With that, he leaves for Paris, as he has joined the army. Genevra never finds out about her husband's secret. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide