Summary
Vanna Du Maurier, a luminary of the stage whose brilliance is rivaled only by her exhausting pursuit of professional autonomy, finds her aspirations for a private theatrical empire threatened by the specter of physiological decay. When presented with the financial patronage of Henri De Greve, she recoils upon recognizing the man as the spectral remnant of her past—a treacherous former spouse and the estranged progenitor of her son, Teddy. This psychological collision precipitates a frantic pilgrimage to a Viennese clinic, seeking a pharmacological or surgical reprieve from the encroaching ravages of time. Emerging from this crucible of vanity with a synthetic vitality, Vanna orchestrates a Machiavellian intervention to sever De Greve’s predatory influence over her son’s betrothed, Sylvia. The narrative culminates in a visceral confrontation where the artifice of the boudoir transforms into a site of retributive justice, as Vanna wields a riding crop to excise the ghost of her past before finally surrendering her restless ambition to the domestic stability offered by the steadfast Richard Dowling.
Synopsis
Successful actress Vanna Du Maurier ignores her friends' advice and overworks herself toward her goal of having her own theater. She is introduced to Henri De Greve, a millionaire who might help her, but she recognizes him to be her former husband, the father of her son, Teddy, and a thoroughgoing cad, and therefore refuses to have anything to do with him. The shock of seeing De Greve is hard on Vanna, however, and--fearing the loss of her youthful beauty--she visits a physician in Vienna to be rejuvenated. Vanna returns thoroughly changed and even invites the attentions of De Greve when she realizes his interest in Sylvia Grayson, Teddy's sweetheart. Teddy turns against his mother, Sylvia attempts to drown herself, and Vanna lures De Greve to her boudoir, where she discloses his past and gives him a beating with a riding crop. Sylvia and Teddy are reunited and forgive Vanna, who now recognizes the folly of vanity and accepts the proposal of long-time admirer Richard Dowling.
