Roads of Destiny is a 1921 American silent drama film produced and distributed by Goldwyn Pictures. The film is based on the 1909 short story of the same name by O. Henry that was turned into a play by Channing Pollock starring Florence Reed. Frank Lloyd directed and stage actress Pauline Frederick starred. The film is now considered lost.

Plot

As summarized in a film publication, David Marsh (Bowers), an inventor, is in love with Ann Hardy (Novak), but his brother Lewis also loves her. Lewis previously loved Rose Merritt (Frederick), but betrayed her and has cast her off. When he sees the success of David with Ann, Lewis reproaches his brother and threatens to end his own life unless he can marry Ann. David, overcome with these events, sinks into an armchair and falls asleep. In his dreams, the figure of Fate (George) appears and tells him that no matter which road he takes, he will find happiness with Ann and will marry her only. Then follow three dreams, one taking place in the North, one in the West, and one in his home town. When he awakes, he finds that Lewis was greeted with the same apparition and has decided to marry Rose, while David marries Ann.

Roads of Destiny

Cast

Pauline Frederick as Rose Merritt

John Bowers as David Marsh

Richard Tucker as Lewis Marsh

Jane Novak as Ann Hardy

Hardee Kirkland as Mr. Hardy

Willard Louis as McPherson

Maude George as Fate

Maurice B. Flynn as Colby

References

External links

1921 films

1921 drama films

Silent American drama films

American silent feature films

American black-and-white films

American films based on plays

Films based on short fiction

Films directed by Frank Lloyd

Goldwyn Pictures films

Lost American drama films

Adaptations of works by O. Henry

1920s American films

1921 lost films

1920s English-language films

English-language drama films

Roads of Destiny