The Road to Glory (1926 film)
The Road to Glory is a 1926 American silent film directed by Howard Hawks and starring May McAvoy, Leslie Fenton and Ford Sterling.[1][2] This was Hawks' first film, based on a 35-page treatment that Hawks wrote. It is one of only two Hawks works that are lost films.
The Road to Glory | |
---|---|
Directed by | Howard Hawks |
Written by | Howard Hawks Gordon Rigby |
Cinematography | Joseph H. August |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Fox Film Corporation |
Release date | February 7, 1926 |
Running time | 93 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent English intertitles |
Plot
May McAvoy is a young woman, gradually going blind. She tries to spare her boyfriend Rockliffe Fellowes and her father Ford Sterling from the burden of her illness. She agrees to live with Leslie Fenton, a greedy rich man, in order to get away from her father and lover.
Cast
- May McAvoy as Judith Allen
- Leslie Fenton as David Hale
- Ford Sterling as James Allen
- Rockliffe Fellowes as Del Cole
- Milla Davenport as Aunt Selma
- John MacSweeney as Butler
- Carole Lombard
Production
Howard Hawks wrote the 35 page story from which the screenplay was based; this was one of few films on which he had extensive writing credits.[3]:65 Originally titled, The Chariot of the Gods, The Road to Glory was shot from December 1925 to January 1926 and premiered in April. The film contained religious iconography and messages that would never again be seen in a Hawks film.[3]:65–68
Reception
It received good reviews from film critics. In later interviews, Hawks said, "It didn't have any fun in it. It was pretty bad. I don't think anybody enjoyed it except a few critics." Hawks was dissatisfied with the film after being certain that dramatic films would establish his reputation, but realized what he had done wrong when Sol Wurtzel told Hawks, "Look, you've shown you can make a picture, but for God's sake, go out and make entertainment."[3]:65–68
See also
References
- Gehring p.230
- The Road to Glory at silentera.com
- McCarthy, Todd (1997). Howard Hawks: The Grey Fox of Hollywood. New York: Grove Press. ISBN 978-0-8021-3740-1.
- The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog:..The Road to Glory
- The Road to Glory at Lost Film Files: lost Fox Films - 1926
Bibliography
- Wes D. Gehring. Carole Lombard, the Hoosier Tornado. Indiana Historical Society Press, 2003.