Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

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Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

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Bassanio meets his friend, Antonio, a merchant of wealth and influence in Venice and tells him of his love for Portia, a rich heiress dwelling in Belmont. Bassanio wishes to woo the beautiful lady, but is without means and requests Antonio to lend him the required sum. The latter, whose fortunes are invested in cargoes upon the high seas, regrets that he is unable to assist him, but offers to stand security for Bassanio with the money-lenders on the Rialto. The two friends then go to the house of Shylock. a Jew of great wealth, and make known their wants. Shylock is unwilling at first, because he knows of Antonio's uncertain ventures, but finally agrees to advance three thousand ducats for three months, on condition that Antonio sign a bond stating that if the money is not paid when due, the lender is entitled to cut a pound of flesh off Antonio's breast. Bassanio then visits Belmont, but must wait his turn while other suitors pay their respects. According to her father's will, Portia must be won in the following manner: Each suitor is to make his choice of one of three caskets; one made of gold, another of silver, and the other of lead. He that selects the one containing her portrait is to be rewarded with her hand in marriage. Two haughty suitors, the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Aragon, select the gold and silver caskets in turn, and are unsuccessful. Bassanio wisely chooses the leaden casket, which proves to be the one containing her portrait. His gallant bearing has already won Portia's heart, and not long afterwards, their nuptial rites are solemnized. The celebration is hardly finished, however, when Bassanio receives a letter from Antonio stating that his ships have been lost at sea, and the bond declared forfeited. Bassanio straightway hastens to Venice, where he is just in time to attend the trial of his friend and hear the plea of the Jew, who scorns the offer of repayment and cruelly demands his pound of flesh. As the trial proceeds, the case appears to be going against Antonio until the appearance of a young lawyer named Balthasar, who has been sent as a substitute to defend the unfortunate merchant. When Shylock is about to have his due, Balthasar points out that if in the cutting of it he shed one drop of blood, all his properties will be confiscated according to the law of Venice. Infuriated, Shylock is obliged to renounce his inhuman claim. Later, Bassanio and Antonio discover to their great surprise and delight that' their unknown deliverer has been do other than Portia herself in disguise.

Harry Baur and Romuald Joubé in Shylock (1913)

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