Dust Be My Destiny (Warner Bros.) (1939)

(This scene not available in mat form) Garfield, Lane Starred In ‘Dust Be My Destiny Great American Drama Second in the Strand Theatre’s succession of fall film hits from the Warner Bros. studio is ‘‘ Dust Be My Destiny,’’ which follows ‘“The Old Maid’’ into the theatre on Friday. Co-starred in this great American drama of the lost generation, are John Garfield and Priscilla Lane, the romantic lovers of ‘*‘Four Daughters’? and ‘“Daughters Courageous.’’ Prominently featured in the cast are Alan Hale, Frank McHugh, Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Charley Grapewin, Henry Armetta, Stanley Ridges, Moroni Olsen and John Litel. ‘“Dust Be My Destiny’’ is the blazing story that Hollywood has been trying to write since the movies were born, a saga of the generation that wanders over the face of America, searching for a spot to call its own. Specifically, it is the tale of Joe and Mabel Bell, newlyweds. They’re just two kids who never had a break, and when they meet and marry all they ask is a place to hang their hats, and the right to earn a living for themselves and the family that they hope to bring into the world. They’re real people, and like so many others of their generation, they get more than their share of the bad breaks, but they hope and trust that sooner or later things will go right for them. It’s the kind of story that the screen has seldom dared to touch until now, a heart-and-soul drama of life and love as it really is for a great part of America’s youth today. In filming Jerome Odlum’s novel, Warner Bros. have set a challenging precedent of realism, pulling no punches in depicting the sorry circumstances under which the two young ‘‘nobodies’’ battle their way, searching for the happiness they believe to be their destiny. Theirs is a problem that faces thousands of others like them — a crying need to find their own place in the world, to ‘‘belong.’’ But they need help in solving their problem, help and understanding from the seemingly hostile world about them, and it is this thought more than any other which ‘‘Dust Be My Destiny’? will leave with the audiences. John Garfield, the young Broadway actor whose first film role in ‘“Four Daughters’? won him immediate acclaim as a dramatic actor of the highest calibre, gives the most brilliant performance of his career as the boy. Priscilla Lane offers another heart-stirring, true-to-life portrayal as the girl who takes to the road against all odds with the man she loves. Both stars are utterly believable in their roles, a fact which adds immeasurably to the heart-piercing power of the story. Other outstanding performances are contributed by Moroni Olsen, as the attorney who makes a passionate plea for all the young nobodies of the world in the final trial scene, and by Henry Armetta, as the friendly restaurant proprietor, Alan Hale, as a crusading newspaper editor, and Stanley Ridges, as Priscilla’s cruel and drunken father. Lewis Seiler directed, from the screen play by Robert Rossen, based on, Odlum’s widely-read novel. GARFIELD, LANE IN ROMANTIC DRAMA ‘*Dust Be My Destiny,’’ second of the big hit shows of the Strand’s fall film season, will open on Friday, with John Garfield and Priscilla Lane in the co-starring roles. This team, which proved so popular in ‘‘ Four Daughters’’ and ‘‘Daughters Courageous,’’ is supported by a large cast of players, headed by Alan Hale, Frank MeHugh, Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Charley Grapewin, Henry Armetta, Stanley Ridges, John Litel, Moroni Olsen and Victor Kilian. ““Dust Be My Destiny,’’ which was adapted by Robert Rossen, from the novel by Jerome Odlum, author of ‘‘Each Dawn I Die,’’ is a straight-from-the-heart tale of | two young ‘‘nobodies’’ who fall in love and marry, and who ask nothing of the world except the right to earn their livings and a place to hang their hats. But even these simple things are denied them, because the boy is a fugitive from justice, for a murder which he didn’t commit. Even when the boy, through his heroism, aids in the capture of a band of notorious bank robbers, the shadow the law hangs over him. His vindication in the climactic courtroom scene forms a poignant dramatic ending. William Seiler directed. “Dust Be My Destiny” At Strand Friday With John Garfield and Priscilla Lane in the co-starring roles, “Dust Be My Destiny,” a poignant romantic drama, will be the next feature attraction at the Strand Theatre, starting Friday. Based on the novel by Jerome Odlum, the film deals realistically with the married life of two young “nobodies” trying to find their place in a hostile world. STRAND THEATRE TO SHOW ‘DUST BE MY DESTINY’ The Strand Theatre, ushering in the fall show season with a parade of outstanding new film productions, will present, starting Friday, “Dust Be My Destiny,’ with John Garfield and Priscilla Lane, the two outstanding star discoveries of the past season. Based on the novel by Jerome Odlum, author also of “Each Dawn I Die,” the new film probes deeply and poignantly into the problem of the young “nobodies” of this generation, who wander over the country, seeking jobs and “a place to hang their hats.” Garfield and Miss Lane meet an dfall in love when he is sentenced to a short term on a work farm for vagrancy. Her stepfather, one of the foremen of the farm, makes it so tough for them that they are forced to run away. He chases them, but drops dead of a heart attack. Unaware of htis, they go on, and are married. When they hear, over a radio news broadcast, that Garfield is wanted for the murder of the foreman, she wants him to go back and prove his innocence. But his previous experiences with the law have proved to him that there is little chance for a “nobody” once he is in the grips of the law. So they start fleeing across the country in the hope of finding a place where they can get a new start. But each time things begin to look promising, they find themselves in danger of being found out, and have to pull up stakes and move on. At last, however, after he has heroically risked his life to help in the capture of a bunch of bank bandits, Priscilla tells the police who he is, risking his love for her in order to put an end to the ceaseless wandering. On the witness stand, she swears his innocence, and it is largely through her appeal and her account of their life together, that the jury returns a verdict of “Not Guilty.” Featured in the impressive supporting cast are Alan Hale, Frank McHugh, Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Henry Armetta, John Litel, Moroni Olsen, Charley Grapewin, Victor Kilian, Ferike Boros and Stanley Ridges. Lewis Seiler directed, from a script by Robert Rossen, based on the Odlum novel. [4] CAST OF CHARACTERS CSA ge Be Oe wae) ee Me ape) le 6, a oe, Pra Rake JOHN GARFIELD Re ee PRISCILLA LANE Be a rete Se peed Alan Hale (G60 Lota 2 Rant NMR ae Sea te beaee te Bese Frank McHugh Pi eo ae POS Bh a ao ghee ae Billy Halop i a Sc ae ore ee. Bees ...Bobby Jordan POR oi. ak eae ee Charley Grapewin Te ay sn Ey eerie aise Henry Armetta ee a eee ag Stanley Ridges Pane cir ae a yo ae John Litel pre Fomeg ee a Moroni Olsen Dee Saunders... Victor Killian ey CR i ue a ee eM, Frank Jaquet Delicatessen Proprietress ........... Ferike Boros SOTO Marc Lawrence Magistrate <0 eee, Arthur Aylesworth NV ERO) 8 on! Yen ee William Davidson FAG re ee ae Pe George Irving PRODUCTION STAFF OCI. ee ss ied oe LEWIS SEILER Screen Play by Robert Rossen; From a Novel by Jerome Odlum; Music by Max Steiner; Photography by James Wong Howe, A.S.C.; Art Director, Hugh Reticker; Dialogue Director, Irving Rapper; Film Editor, Warren Low; Gowns by Milo Anderson; Sound by Robert B. Lee; Musical Director, Leo F. Forbstein; Orchestral Arrangements by Hugo Friedhofer: Makeup Artist, Perc Westmore; Special Effects, Byron Haskin. THE STORY “Dust Be My Destiny” is the first blazing story of America’s migratory workers ... of a boy and girl searching for the grapes of happiness, battling alone against the wrath of a violent destiny. It is the heart-and-soul story of two young people — newlyweds — who never got a break in life. They’re real people. They get their share of bad breaks just as you and I, but they hope and trust that sooner or later things will go right. John Garfield, as the boy, gives the most brilliant performance of his career. Priscilla Lane offers another real-life portrayal as the girl who takes to the road against all odds with the man she loves. In filming Jerome Odlum’s widely read novel, Warner Bros. present the kind of love story the screen has never dared touch till now. (Synopsis — Not For Publication) Joe Bell (John Garfield) is released from prison after serving a sentence for a crime he did not commit. Bitter and feeling the world is against him because he is a “nobody,” Joe is soon arrested for vagrancy and sent to the county work farm. Here he meets Mabel (Priscilla Lane) step-daughter of the drunken farm foreman, Charley (Stanley Ridges). Joe and Mabel, two youngsters looking for someone to pin their faith in, discover each other and are soon in love. Because of this, Charley hates Joe and after a fight between the two, Charley drops dead because of heart failure. Joe and Mabel flee. Believing his death was caused by the blows Joe struck, the police want the two lovers, now married, for murder. From then on the two lead lives of fugitives, settling down for awhile but always forced to flee when their identities became known. In their last stand, Mabel realizes the futility of their constant running and turns Joe in to the police. At the trial the prosecutor adroitly twists the truth into a rope around Joe’s neck. Then the defense attorney makes his plea. It is for Joe Bell and the thousands of “nobodies” like him. As his star witness, he calls Mabel. In simple words she tells the jury their story and pleads for a favorable verdict to prove to Joe — and all who think they haven't a chance in the world—that the world can be kind. The jury returns with its verdict — not guilty. The boy who thought he was a nobody and his wife face a new life together. Approximate Running Time — 88 minutes