Poor Relations

Dorothy Perkins, the eldest daughter of a simple, wholesome country family, leaves for the big city to study architecture. After winning a competition, she is a success, and meets Monty Rhodes, the son of aristocratic parents. Despite his parents' objections, Monty and Dorothy marry, but Mrs. Rhodes continually humiliates Dorothy for her lack of breeding. When she finally succeeds in driving the heartbroken Dorothy back to her own family, Monty realizes his mistake, and follows her to the country, where he finds happiness with his wife and their poor relations.

Directed by King Vidor, Poor Relations leans on a strong ensemble — Florence Vidor, Lillian Leighton, William De Vaull — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1919.