''Set Free'' is a 1918 American silent
comedy film
A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending ( black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the o ...
directed by
Tod Browning
Tod Browning (born Charles Albert Browning Jr.; July 12, 1880 – October 6, 1962) was an American film director, film actor, screenwriter, vaudeville performer, and carnival sideshow and circus entertainer. He directed a number of films of vari ...
.
It is not known whether the film currently survives,
which suggests that it is a
lost film
A lost film is a feature or short film that no longer exists in any studio archive, private collection, public archive or the U.S. Library of Congress.
Conditions
During most of the 20th century, U.S. copyright law required at least one copy ...
.
Plot
After discovering that her grandmother was a
gypsy
The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with si ...
, Roma Wycliffe leaves her old- money life with her Aunt Henrietta, and goes to New York City to live as a gypsy.
Once she arrives in New York, Roma is mistaken for a thief and arrested. The kindly and rich woman Mrs. Roberts volunteers to take her under her wing to prevent her from going to jail. Her son John Roberts falls in love with Roma. Roma does not return his feelings, because his rich life style is a far cry from the freedom of gypsy life. John hires a group of street thugs to pretend to be his gypsy crew. The “gypsies” take their new role as gypsy thieves too far and start robbing a bank. John turns them in to the authorities. John and Roma agree to marry.
Cast
*
Edith Roberts as Roma Wycliffe
*
Harry Hilliard Harry Hilliard may refer to:
* Harry Hilliard (cricketer)
* Harry Hilliard (actor)
{{hndis, Hilliard, Harry ...
as John Roberts
*
Harold Goodwin as Ronald Blair
*
Mollie McConnell as Mrs. Roberts (credited as Molly McConnell)
References
External links
*
1918 films
American silent feature films
American black-and-white films
1918 comedy films
Films directed by Tod Browning
Universal Pictures films
Silent American comedy films
Films with screenplays by Joseph F. Poland
Films set in New York City
Films about Romani people
1910s American films
1910s English-language films
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