A Rich Man's Plaything Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for A Rich Man's Plaything.
A Rich Man's Plaything Ending Explained: Marie Grandon may have seen more of the world than any nice girl ever would, but her motives remain pure. Directed by Carl Harbaugh, this 1917 drama film stars Valeska Suratt (Marie Grandon), alongside Edward Martindel as 'Iron' Lloyd, Robert Cummings as 'Smash' Regan, John T. Dillon as Ogden Deneau. Rated 0/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.
What Happens at the End of A Rich Man's Plaything?
Marie Grandon may have seen more of the world than any nice girl ever would, but her motives remain pure. Marie labors in a New England oyster cannery and dreams of someday crushing the slumlords who prey upon the poor. While on a cruise, "Iron" Lloyd, a millionaire financier and tenement owner, decides to visit the town where Marie lives. Under the name Strange, he gets in a fight and is injured. While recuperating, he meets Marie and she tells him of her dream. Lloyd is intrigued by this and decides to test her. He has his lawyer transfer a huge sum of money to her and makes it look like she inherited it from a distant relative. Marie takes the money, goes to New York, and does exactly what she had planned. Her main target happens to be Lloyd. His business rival, Ogden Deneau, even aligns with her, pretending interest in her cause, but really wanting to ruin Lloyd. Marie, however, had dealings with Deneau a long time ago and plans to crush him too.
Carl Harbaugh's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Valeska Suratt (Marie Grandon)'s journey. Marie labors in a New England oyster cannery and dreams of someday crushing the slumlords who prey upon the poor.
How Does Valeska Suratt (Marie Grandon)'s Story End?
- Valeska Suratt: Valeska Suratt's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Edward Martindel ('Iron' Lloyd): Edward Martindel's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Robert Cummings ('Smash' Regan): Robert Cummings's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of A Rich Man's Plaything Mean?
The ending of A Rich Man's Plaything brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Valeska Suratt's story may not satisfy all audiences.