Flight from Destiny
1941 film by Vincent Sherman

Flight from Destiny is a 1941 American drama film noir directed by Vincent Sherman and written by Barry Trivers. The film stars Geraldine Fitzgerald, Thomas Mitchell, Jeffrey Lynn, James Stephenson, Mona Maris and Jonathan Hale. The film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures on February 8, 1941.
01Synopsis
After his doctor informs him he will die in six months, Professor Henry Todhunter (Thomas Mitchell) decides to spend his last days killing someone who contributes nothing but harm to society. When Henry learns that his friend Betty's (Geraldine Fitzgerald) husband, Michael (Jeffrey Lynn), has been painting forgeries of ancient paintings for gallery owner Ketti Moret (Mona Maris), he investigates the fraudulent dealer's life. Judging that Ketti is truly evil, Henry prepares to murder her.
02Cast
- Geraldine Fitzgerald as Betty Farroway
- Thomas Mitchell as Professor Henry Todhunter
- Jeffrey Lynn as Michael Farroway
- James Stephenson as Dr. Lawrence Stevens
- Mona Maris as Ketti Moret
- Jonathan Hale as District Attorney
- David Bruce as Saunders
- Thurston Hall as Dean Somers
- Mary Gordon as Martha
- John Eldredge as Peterson
- Hardie Albright as Ferrers
- William Forrest as Prentiss
- Weldon Heyburn as Brooks
- William Hopper as Travin
- Alexander Lockwood as Conway
- Frank Reicher as Edward Kreindling
- Willie Best as George
- Libby Taylor as Maid
03Reception
T.M.P. of The New York Times said, "What would you do if you only had six months to live? That is the problem which confronts Thomas Mitchell as an elderly professor suffering from an aortic aneurysm in Flight From Destiny. The same question has been pondered before on the screen, but seldom has it been dealt with so intelligently and entertainingly as in the new Warner drama at the Palace. Scenarist Barry Trivers has avoided artfully the pitfalls of a morbid theme by having Professor Todhunter regard his plight philosophically. And it was most fortunate that an actor of Mr. Mitchell's ability was selected to interpret the role, for he is a tower of strength."
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Flight from Destiny”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Flight from Destiny poster.jpg by Unknown author, Fair use
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