Destiny (1944 film)

Destiny is a 1944 American drama film noir directed by Reginald Le Borg and starring Gloria Jean, Alan Curtis and Frank Craven.

Destiny was originally planned as the opening segment of the 1942 episode drama Flesh and Fantasy directed by Julien Duvivier. However, after some previews Universal Pictures decided to remove the opening segment. Not wanting to waste the footage the studio hired screenwriter Roy Chanslor to come up with additional material and Reginald LeBorg to direct a few new scenes, so that the episode could be released as a separate feature film. Duviviers original episode was supposed to have ended tragically, but Universal insisted upon a few framing scenes wherein the refugee is shown to be innocent of the crimes for which he has been imprisoned, and which allowed a happy ending. Because the new footage had not only a different director but also a different cinematographer and art director, sharpeyed viewers can easily tell the new scenes which have the flat look of most of that eras Universal crime thrillers from the Duvivier sequence, which is much more atmospheric and shadowladen.TV Guides summary discussed the films background, It is surprising to realize when seen today that Destiny, with its fairy talelike blending of beauty, mysticism, and horror, had few champions in its day. Nor did Gloria Jeanthen a teenage soprano and deemed to be a threat to Universals reigning songstress, Deanna Durbinwhose career soon after went into a steep decline. Oddly cast in Destiny was McDonald, the studios top tap dancer, who not only did not dance in the film but did not even walk, playing her entire role behind the wheel of a car. ........

Source: Wikipedia