Conrad in Quest of His Youth | 1920 | Drama Romance

Title: Conrad in Quest of His Youth | 1920 | Drama Romance Director: William C. deMille Studio: Famous Players-Lasky Corporation Starring: Thomas Meighan, Lois Wilson, William P. Carleton Based on: Novel by Leonard Merrick Release Date: 1920 Runtime: 70 minutes Format: Silent, Black and White Country: United States Language: Silent (English intertitles) Genres: Drama, Romance --- Summary: Conrad in Quest of His Youth follows the story of Conrad Warrener, a middle-aged man who, longing to reclaim the idealism and passion of his youth, journeys back through time to revisit his past relationships. As he reconnects with former loves and contemplates the choices he made, the film explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and the human desire to recapture lost opportunities. The narrative blends romantic reflection with a meditation on personal growth and the passage of time. --- Background: This 1920 film adaptation of Leonard Merrick’s novel was directed by William C. deMille, a prominent filmmaker of the silent era. Produced by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, the film showcases the studio's focus on high-quality literary adaptations during a period when American cinema was expanding its artistic ambitions. The casting of Thomas Meighan in the lead role brought star power to the production, while the film’s narrative structure employed flashbacks to emphasize the protagonist’s internal journey. --- Trivia: The film was one of several literary adaptations released by Famous Players-Lasky in the early 1920s aimed at attracting a more sophisticated audience. Thomas Meighan, who played Conrad, was a frequent collaborator with director William C. deMille. Lois Wilson, cast as one of Conrad’s former loves, was a popular actress of the silent film era and later transitioned into sound films. The film is considered a reflection of post-World War I American society, grappling with themes of change and nostalgia. No known complete prints of the film survive, making it a partially lost film in the silent era canon. --- Hashtags: SilentFilm 1920Film Drama Romance ClassicCinema PublicDomain