The Gown of Destiny
(1917) United States of America
B&W : Five reels
Directed by Lynn F. Reynolds
Cast: Alma Rubens [Natalie Drew], Herrera Tejedde [Andre Leriche], Allan Sears [Neil Cunningham], Lillian West [Mrs. Reyton], J. Barney Sherry [Mr. Reyton], Pietro Buzzi [Lucien Leriche], Frederick Vroom [Sir John Cunningham], Bliss Chevalier [Madame Felice], Gino Corrado [a man in the French Consulate office], Kathleen Emerson, Dorothy Marshall
Triangle Film Corporation production; distributed by Triangle Distributing Corporation. / Scenario by Lynn F. Reynolds, from the short story “Each According to His Gifts” by Earl Derr Biggers. Techincal advisor, Frank Dudley. Cinematography by John Brown [?] (John W. Brown or Jack Brown)? and William A. Reinhart. / Released 30 December 1917. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: War: World War I.
Reviews: [New York Clipper, 26 December 1917, page 34] Andre Leriche, who wants to do his bit for France, but cannot due to his slight physique, designs a beautiful gown that reunites Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Reyton, who had been drifting apart, and causes Mr. Reyton to give three ambulances to France. Mme. Felice, for whom he works is so delighted that she takes back one of the girls he had fired, and raises her salary. Mrs. Reyton sends the gown to her niece Natalie. Neil Cunningham is bitter because his brothers had got commissions in the British army, and he had not. So he has done nothing to aid England. When he sees Natalie in the gown, he falls in love with her and determines to make up for what he has lost. Natalie’s father dies, and she goes to live with Neil’s father. Neil is now commander of a number of soldiers, and, during an attack, rescues the village in which Andre was born, and saves his father from death. Miss Fisher who, due to Andre’s gown, had been given a new chance, confesses her love for him, and all ends well. It was in this way that Andre, though unknowingly, did his bit for France. The battle scenes are realistic, and the picture is entertaining in every way.
Survival status: Print exists.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 14 August 2024.
References: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
Home video: DVD.
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