The Runaway
- Directed by
- Dell Henderson
This fluffy romance was released by a long-forgotten firm called the Empire All Star Corporation. In spite of its name, there are no stars to be had here -- only journeyman director Dell Henderson's name would endure. Orphan Alice Avery (Julia Sanderson) lives with her stern aunt and uncle, who fear that she will opt for a stage career, just like her dead mother. Artist Richard Danforth (Norman Trevor) comes into Alice's life when he travels to the country for a rest and boards at her home. Danforth makes an offhanded promise to take care of Alice should she ever come to the city, and sure enough, one day she shows up on his doorstep. Since he doesn't know what to do with her, he sends for her maid, Sarah (Jennie Ellison), and introduces her around as a distant relative. This doesn't fly with Danforth's model and paramour, Nancy Arnold (Dore Plowden). The jealous Nancy gives innocent Alice a hard time, so she takes Sarah and disappears. She finds a job as a chorus girl and works her way up to the lead. Like all country girls who come to the city (at least in the movies), Alice is an overnight success. Danforth finally tracks her down and marries her. Alice happily gives up her career to take care of him and his studio.