Lorna Doone (1922) (Silent)

Young noblewoman Lorna befriends John Ridd, a farmer's son, and a youthful infatuation immediately blossoms. John witnesses Lorna's coach attacked by the notorious outlaw clan, the Doones, but the boy is helpless to prevent her abduction. Lorna is raised by the outlaws under the protection of the gang's leader, Sir Ensor Doone, who has developed a fondness for the beautiful girl. The years pass and when Sir Ensor dies, a young scoundrel, Carver Doone, intends to take Lorna for his wife by force. John Ridd, still smitten with Lorna after all the passing years, arms himself to the teeth, and rides into the Doone stronghold on a suicide mission, determined to save his lady love or die.

Based on the classic English novel by R.D. Blackmore, Lorna Doone features fine cinematography, stirring performances and is a first-class production throughout. It was a breakthrough role for beautiful Madge Bellamy followed by a series of notable performances in The Iron Horse (1924), Mother Knows Best (1928) and White Zombie (1932). Her career in films was already over, but scandal rocketed her back into the headlines when she shot her married lover, millionaire A. Stanford Murphy in 1943. Handsome co-star John Bowers, who fights to save himself from drowning several times in Lorna Doone, ironically committed suicide by drowning when his career waned, and is said to be the inspiration for the tragic character of Norman Maine in A Star Is Born.

• silent