Daughter of Destiny (1917 film)

Plot

As described in a film magazine, Marion Ashley (Petrova), daughter of the newly appointed American ambassador to Belmark, is married to Franz Jorn (Randolf), a French artist who also is a spy in the employ of the imperial government. Jorn is anxious to learn certain American war secrets through Marion, but is unsuccessful. Returning to his studio he finds a detective, and in a fight the detective is killed. Jorn places his ring on the dead man's finger and sets fire to the studio. The burned body is mistaken for Jorn. Marion goes to Belmark with her father Ambassador Ashley (Broderick). There she falls in love with Leopold (Harding), the Crown Prince, who asks her to marry him. Marion learns that, if Leopold marries her, war will be declared on Belmark and the country will be devastated, so she gives Leopold up. Jorn appears and tells Marion that Belmark is connected to a worldwide war for greed. The people are demanding peace and Marion goes to tell them that the American government will help them. Jorn places a bomb at the feet of Leopold and Marion, seeing it, throws herself at his feet. The bomb explodes and Marion is severely injured while Jorn is killed.

Cast

Reception

Like many American films of the time, Daughter of Destiny was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required a cut of the cafe scene with a husband embracing a young woman sitting on his lap, setting a dead body on fire, and lighting and throwing an explosive to the balcony.

Preservation status

Last known print destroyed at MGM Vault in 1967. Daughter of Destiny is now considered to be a lost film.