Believe Me, Xantippe Ending Explained: George MacFarland, a wealthy young man who loves adventure, bets his friends Thornton Brown and Arthur Sole $20,000 that he can commit a crime and elude the police for a year. Directed by Donald Crisp, this 1918 comedy film stars Wallace Reid (George MacFarland), alongside Ann Little as Dolly Kamman, Ernest Joy as Thornton Brown, Henry Woodward as Arthur Sole. Rated 0/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.

What Happens at the End of Believe Me, Xantippe?

George MacFarland, a wealthy young man who loves adventure, bets his friends Thornton Brown and Arthur Sole $20,000 that he can commit a crime and elude the police for a year. After he forges a check, George heads West and does escape arrest for nearly a year, despite the proliferation of police circulars bearing his name and his favorite expression, "Believe me, Xantippe." In a Colorado hunting lodge, he meets Sheriff Kamman's pretty daughter Dolly, who recognizes and tries to arrest him. According to the terms of the bet, however, he must be captured by a genuine officer of the law, which Dolly is not.

Donald Crisp's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Wallace Reid (George MacFarland)'s journey. After he forges a check, George heads West and does escape arrest for nearly a year, despite the proliferation of police circulars bearing his name and his favorite expression, "Believe me, Xantippe.

How Does Wallace Reid (George MacFarland)'s Story End?

  • Wallace Reid: Wallace Reid's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
  • Ann Little (Dolly Kamman): Ann Little's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
  • Ernest Joy (Thornton Brown): Ernest Joy's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of Believe Me, Xantippe Mean?

The ending of Believe Me, Xantippe brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Wallace Reid's story may not satisfy all audiences.