The Restless Sex
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Leon D'Usseau Robert Z. Leonard
Written by	Frances Marion
Based on	The Restless Sex by Robert W. Chambers
Starring	Marion Davies Ralph Kellard
Cinematography	Allen G. Siegler
Production companies	Cosmopolitan Productions International Film Service
Distributed by	Famous Players–Lasky Corporation
Release date	September 12, 1920 (1920-09-12)
Running time	7 reels
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

The Restless Sex is a 1920 American silent drama film starring Marion Davies, and Ralph Kellard. It was directed by Leon D'Usseau and Robert Z. Leonard and written by Frances Marion. The film is based upon the 1918 novel of the same name by Robert W. Chambers and was distributed by Paramount Pictures under the Famous Players–Lasky Corporation name.

A copy of The Restless Sex is housed at the Library of Congress and Gosfilmofond.^[1]

Plot

Stephanie is a restless and adventurous young woman. She is in love with Jim, her foster brother and childhood sweetheart. But now, she also finds herself attracted to art student Oswald Grismer. Jim leaves for Paris to become an author. In this period, Steve and Oswald decide to marry each other. When Jim finds out, he returns home to win Steve over.

Cast

• Marion Davies as Stephanie
• Ralph Kellard as Jim Cleland
• Carlyle Blackwell as Oswald Grismer
• Charles Lane as John Cleland
• Corinne Barker as Helen Davis
• Stephen Carr as Jim as a boy
• Vivienne Osborne as Marie Cliff
• Etna Ross as Steve as a child
• Robert Vivian as Chilsmer Grismer
• Athole Shearer as Extra (uncredited)
• Edith Shearer as Extra (uncredited)
• Norma Shearer as Extra (uncredited)

Production

In her 9th film, Marion Davies portrays a restless young woman torn between two men. Costume design for the film, which featured a prolonged "Bal des Arts" sequence, was done by Erté.^[2] This was the first collaboration between Joseph Urban and Cosmopolitan Productions. In ball sequence Marion Davies portrays Pallas Athena, and Norma Shearer appears as an extra. This would prove to be the final American film for Carlyle Blackwell who would go to England and work in films for another decade.

^[3]

Status

A DVD was released by Edward Lorusso with a music score by Donald Sosin in May 2015.