The Enemy is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Fred Niblo and starring Lillian Gish, Ralph Forbes and Ralph Emerson. The film was thought to have been lost for years until a copy was discovered at the MGM library, now owned by Turner Entertainment. However, the film is still missing its final reel. Actor Joel McCrea made an early appearance as an extra.
Plot
Newlywed Carl (Ralph Forbes) goes to war where he endures major suffering. Back home, wife Pauli (Lillian Gish) starves, becomes a prostitute to survive, and their baby dies.
Cast
Lillian Gish as Pauli Arndt
Ralph Forbes as Carl Behrend
Ralph Emerson as Bruce Gordon
Frank Currier as Professor Arndt
George Fawcett as August Bejremd
Fritzi Ridgeway as Mitzi Winkelmann
Hans Joby as Fritz Winkelmann (credited as John S. Peters) Karl Dane as Jan Polly Moran as Baruska Billy Kent Schaefer as Kurt Louise Emmons (uncredited) Betty Jane Graham as Little girl (uncredited) Joel McCrea as Extra (uncredited)
Censorship concern
The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, formed by the film industry in 1922, regulated the content of films through a list of subjects that were to be avoided. While Lillian Gish portrayed a prostitute in The Enemy, this was acceptable as prostitution was not explicitly barred so long as it was not forced (i.e., white slavery) and aspects of her work were not shown in the film.