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THE DEVIL'S NEEDLE (1916, dir: Chester Withey) stars silent superstar Norma Talmadge as Renee, a French artist's model who uses morphine as an escape from the dull reality of her life. She recommends it to a neurotic artist played by Tully Marshall (Queen Kelly), because "it kindles the fires of genius." The artist quickly becomes addicted to the drug and the quality of his work begins to disintegrate. He takes on a new model, marries her, and starts her on the same path of moral degradation, until a guilt-ridden Renee decides to intervene in order to save them both. According to silent film historian Kevin Brownlow, THE DEVIL'S NEEDLE was banned by the state of Ohio, but the censor board reversed its decision after recognizing the positive message beneath the film's scandalous surface. This special edition was mastered from a 35mm preservation print of the 1923 re-release version. The only known surviving copy, the element suffers significant nitrate decomposition during some scenes.

Genres: Drama

Starring: Norma Talmadge, Tully Marshall, Marguerite Marsh

Released: August 12, 1916

Runtime: 66.0

Popularity Rating: 0.037

Fine Arts Film Company

United States of America

Renee Duprez Norma Talmadge
John Minturn Tully Marshall
Patricia Devon Marguerite Marsh
Marshall Devon F.A. Turner
Sir Gordon Galloway Howard Gaye
Fritz John E. Brennan
Buck Paul Le Blanc
Bartender (uncredited) Monte Blue
Old Farmer (uncredited) William Courtright

Directing — Director: Chester Withey
Writing — Writer: Chester Withey
Writing — Writer: Roy Somerville