Romantic comedy

Forbidden Paradise (1924): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch

Name: Forbidden Paradise
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: 1924-01-02
Duration: 1 h 16 min
Cast: Pauline Starke, Fred Malatesta, Pola Negri, Rod La Rocque, Clark Gable

Forbidden Paradise is a 1924 romantic comedy directed by Ernst Lubitsch, starring Pauline Starke as Anna, Fred Malatesta and Pola Negri. It runs 1 hour 16 minutes. Stream it on Public Domain Movies.

Where to watch Read the plot summary

Released: January 2, 1924
Runtime: 1h 16m (76 min)
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Genres: Comedy , Romance
Original language: English
Studio: Famous Players-Lasky Corporation
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Forbidden Paradise About?

The premise of Forbidden Paradise without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Alexei, a young officer, saves the Czarina of a small European kingdom from revolutionary conspirators and wins her love. He deserts his sweetheart Anna, the Czarina’s lady‑in‑waiting, only to learn she is unfaithful. Disillusioned, he joins the rebels and plots against her. The Czarina begs for his mercy; he vows not to harm her. The chancellor crushes the revolt, the Czarina orders Alexei’s arrest, then releases him, returns him to Anna, and starts an affair with the French ambassador.

Forbidden Paradise Themes & Keywords

· 4 tags

catherine the great character
lubitsch and negri
mythical kingdom
based on play

Where to watch

Where to Watch Forbidden Paradise

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Cast & crew

Forbidden Paradise Cast & Characters

Pauline Starke leads the cast as Anna, with Fred Malatesta as French ambassador and Pola Negri as Catherine. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch; 11 actors are credited in all.

Director Ernst Lubitsch

Pauline Starke as Anna
Fred Malatesta as French ambassador
Pola Negri as Catherine
Rod La Rocque as Capt. Alexei Czerny

Also Starring in Forbidden Paradise

· 7 more

Clark Gable Soldier in Czarina's Guard (uncredited)
Adolphe Menjou Chancellor
Leo White Driver (uncredited)
Carrie Daumery Lady-in-Waiting
Carlton Griffin Officer (uncredited)
Nick De Ruiz The General
William Quinn

Plot

Forbidden Paradise Plot Summary

What happens in Forbidden Paradise from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a small European country, Catherine, Pola Negri, the Czarina, invites a personal audience with the French Ambassador, Fred Malatesta, after learning his popularity with Parisian ladies. This glamorous moment unfolds against a backdrop of mounting political tension, as whispers of revolution begin to stir beyond the palace walls.

At a border town, Alexei Czerny, Rod La Rocque, a young officer, discovers that a revolution is gaining momentum and hurries to the palace, forcing his way into the Czarina’s presence.

So moved is the Czarina by his bold entrance that she forgets the revolution and the Ambassador, bestowing her favor on Alexei, who rises quickly in the eyes of the court and is made captain of the royal guard.

Full summary

The whole story of Forbidden Paradise, scene by scene

Read the full summary