1926 Olive starred in the comedy Fig Leaves. It was one of her first leading roles in a silent film. Olive made this movie while she was under contract at Fox. The studio spent more than $50,000 on the costumes which were designed by Gilbert Adrian. One sequence of the movie was filmed in Technicolor. During filming Olive was dating her leading man George O'Brien. She and George met when they costarred in the western Three Bad Men. Fig Leaves was directed by Howard Hawks. This was the second film that Howard directed. It was released on August 22, 1926. The movie was a huge hit and Olive's performance earned rave reviews. Fig Leaves made her one of Fox's biggest stars but she left the studio in 1927 over a salary dispute. Olive and George's real life romance lasted until 1929. George O'Brien died on September 4, 1985 at the age of eight-six.
Olive as Eve
A scene from the movie
CAST:
Olive Borden ... Eve Smith
George O'Brien ... Adam Smith
Phyllis Haver ... Alice Atkins
Andre de Beranger ... Josef Andre
William Austin ... Andre's assistant
Heinie Conklin ... Eddie McSwiggen
Eulalie Jensen ... Madame Griswald
A publicity photo
PLOT:
The movie begins with a humorous look at how Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden. Eve's biggest complaint is "I have nothing to wear". The story moves to the 1920's where we meet a modern day Adam and Eve Smith. Adam is a hard working plumber who does not want his wife to work. Eve desperately wants new clothes but Adam can't afford to buy her any. One day Eve is involved in a traffic accident with fashion designer Andre. He believes Eve is his muse and asks her to start modeling for him. Eve takes the job but keeps it a secret from Adam. She begins buying expensive clothes and hides them from Adam. Eve's neighbor Alice encourages the deception while secretly plotting to steal Adam. When Adam discovers Eve's secret life as a model he walks out on her. Alice uses this opportunity to get Adam drunk and tries to seduce him. In the end Eve gives up her modeling job and Adam returns to her. The story goes back to the Garden of Eden where Eve is happy but she still doesn't have anything to wear.
With George (Courtesy of David Menefee)
Adam and Eve (Courtesy of David Menefee)
Courtesy of David Menefee
