Molchi, grust... molchi

Circus clown Pyotr Chardynin is crippled. He tries to make a go of it playing the violin in the street, but his wife, youthful, lovely Vera Kholodnaya wearies of unending poverty and becomes the mistress of a wealthy man. Soon, his brother, who keeps getting money from him to cover his gambling debts, starts making love to her.

Chardynin also co-directed this disapproving, moralistic movie about the corrupt and corrupting rich. It's a well-told tale, even though to the modern viewer, who barely understands there was a thriving Russian movie industry before the Revolution will find it visually stodgy, with its long takes, centered camera shots and actors instead of "types" in the leading roles. Chardynin's career faded out in the 1920s; apparently he wasn't disapproving enough of the bourgeosie. He died in 1934, aged 61.