Her Final Reckoning (1918) Famous Players-Lasky Corp. Distributor: Famous Players-Lasky Corp; Paramount Pictures. Presenter: Adolph Zukor. Director: Emile Chautard. Scenario: Charles E. Whittaker. Camera, Jacques Bizeul. Cast: Pauline Frederick, John Miltern, Robert Cain, Warren Cooke, Joseph Smiley, James Laffey, Karl Dane, Florence Beresford, Louis Reihart, Edith Ellwood. 5 reels. This film appears to be LOST

Review from Variety, June 28, 1918

In the old days of elemental speaking drama one of the rudiments of stagecraft was that the heroine must remain undefiled, no matter what the circumstances. Motion picture are still in an embryonic state--one is almost tempted to say "the industry is in its infancy"--and for general appeal it is still necessary to adhere to the ethics of the legitimate stage as it was a generation agone. In "Her Final Reckoning," a Paramount production with Pauline Frederick starred, directed by Emile Chautard, we have presented to us the old problem of a husband being asked to forgive his wife when he learns she had a lover previous to the nuptials. Plenty of extenuating circumstances are offered, but it is there, nevertheless. The locale is laid in continental Europe, and the woman is willing to make every reparation to her husband by saying she is going into a convent, and all she asks is forgiveness. The whole story flavors of a European atmosphere in that the husband's lifelong friend fights a duel with the bride's seducer and puts him out of the way forever. This trite layout is camouflaged with superb exteriors, admirable direction, and one might say a perfectly selected cast. One would be quite safe in challenging anybody to select a better company of film players. Miss Frederick has a part of intense emotionalism. She is a creature of moods, inheriting a passionate nature from her Gypsy mother, all of which is revealed to build up a mountain of extenuation for her one slip from the straight and narrow path. The fact remains that the heroine is a bruised female, and we are not yet ready to accept them in our original screen literature.

Reviews from Moving Picture World

"HER FINAL RECKONING."
Adolph Zukor Presents Pauline Frederick in a Story Based Upon Jules Charetie's "Prince Zilah."

The Story: Marsa is the gypsy daughter of a Russian prince who is wronged at an early age by a rascally count. hen she meets and loves Prince Zilah in Paris at a later period the count seeks to force her into a resumption of their former relationship, but when he calls at the villa at midnight she sets her Russian wolfhounds upon him, and he is nearly bitten to death. Unfortunately for Marsa the man escapes with his life, and he later forwards to Prince Zilah a packet of compromising letters written by her, and in despair she confesses all to her fiancee. She becomes ill, the count is killed in a duel, and Prince Zilah takes Marga to his heart despite her admissions of guilt.

Feature: Pauline Frederick, who plays the dual roles of Marsa and Princess Zilah, and John Miltern as Prince Zilah.

Program and Advertising Phrases: Dual Roles Give Pauline Frederick the Greatest Opportunity for Passionate Acting in All Her Career.
Cruel Betrayer of Youthful Innocence Pays Belated Penalty.
Wolf in Human Form Faces Retribution in Thrilling Denouement.
How the Full Strength of a Great Love Wins Faith and Happiness.
Striking Problem Play Discloses Great Moral Lesson in Screen Revelations.
Abiding Love and Confidence Gains Victory Over Cruel Intrigue.

Stunt Suggestions: If you can borrow a real wolf hound parade it through the streets with a banner reading, "How would you like to meet three of these dogs instead of Pauline Frederick if you had an appointment with her? See 'Her Final Reckoning' at (house and date)." Play up the star in your newspaper and window work, and also mention the author and his distinction. For a catchline for the throwaway try "Would you have married Marsa?" without explaining why, advising the reader to see the story.

Advertising Aids: Two each one, three and six-sheets. One 24-sheet. Lobby displays, Photos 8x10, 11x14, 22x28. Cuts from one to three columns on star and production. Advertising layout mats. Slides. Press book.

Released June 9.
June 22, 1918

"HER FINAL RECKONING"
Pauline Frederick in French Romance Does Best Work of Screen Career.
Reviewed by Edward Weitzel.

Written by Jules Claretie, the famous director of the Comedie Francaise, and produced under the supervision of Emile Chautard, "Her Final Reckoning," a Paramount picture, with Pauline Frederick as the star, is French in subject and treatment. Produced on the stage under the title of "Prince Zilah," the role of Marsa has been acted by most of the great emotional actresses now living.

Its story is not for the Sunday school library. Marsa is the daughter of a Hungarian Gypsy woman who is captured by a Russian officer and forced to become his mistress. When a daughter is born to the pair, the officer offers the mother marriage. She refuses on account of her hatred of all Russians.

The child Marsa grows up and is noted in Paris for her beauty. Prince Zilah, a Hungarian patriot, falls in love with her and they are married. It is next disclosed that Marsa had been intimate with an admirer named Count Menko and is living in fear of him.

The Count demands a meeting with his old sweetheart and Marsa consents. When he arrives she turns loose a number of savage dogs and the Count is disfigured for life. A package of compromising letters fall into the hands of the Prince and Marsa confesses the truth about Menko. Zilah leaves her and she loses her reason. County Varhely, a friend of Zilah's kills Menko in a duel and helps to convince the Prince that Marsa loves him devoutedly.[sic] He goes to his wife at the request of her physician to help restore her reason and is successful. Finally convinced that Marsa is worthy of his love, the Prince becomes reconciled with his wife.

Set in its Old World frame and finely acted by Pauline Frederick and her support, Her Final Reckoning" makes a very favorable impression in spite of the feverish nature of its story. It is finely produced and seems a truthful reflection of the life it is intended to depict.

Pauline Frederick does the best work of her screen career in this picture and acts with a sincerity and restraint that are thoroughly convincing. John Miltern and the Prince, Bob Cain as Count Menko and Warren Cooke as Count Varhely lend her efficient aid.

Last revised, September 16, 2005