The Gown of Destiny (1917) DVD-R

Starring Alma Rubens, Herrera Tejedde, Allan Sears, Lillian West, J. Barney Sherry
Directed by Lynn Reynolds

Print: Black and White
Runtime:N/A min.
Genre: Drama

This odd little war picture is based on a Saturday Evening Post story by Earl Derr Biggers. A Fifth Avenue clothes designer, Andre Leriche (Herrera Tejedde) is disappointed when the French Army tells him he's unfit for service. So he sets out to create a gown that will bring him fame, and therefore honor to France. The gown is purchased by a middle-aged woman (Lillian West), whose husband, Mortimer Reyton (J. Barney Sherry), has grown tired of her. But she's so stunning in the outfit that his interest in her is renewed, and in honor of their wedding anniversary, he purchases three ambulances and sends them overseas. The woman then sends the gown to her poor relation, Natalie (Alma Ruebens), and with it, she wins the love of Englishman Neil Cunningham (Allan Sears). He enlists and goes to France, where he helps save a village mayor (Pietro Buzzi) from death at the hands of the Germans. The mayor also happens to be Andre's father. So Andre, without realizing it, has served his country after all.