Marooned Hearts

• 1920

• Watchlist

This was Conway Tearle's first starring film for the Selznick studios. He is Dr. Paul Carrington, a young surgeon who is very serious about his work -- too serious for his fiancée, Marion Ainsworth (Zena Keefe). She selfishly demands more of his time, and, during a weekend party, she hides a telephone message meant for him. As a result, he is late in performing an important operation, which ruins his reputation. Carrington's sponsor, Dr. Matthews (George Backus), suggests that he travel to the South Sea islands to complete some gland research to win back the respect he has lost. The young doctor agrees, but after he leaves, he is rumored to have died. Cyrus Carter (Eric Mayne) woos Marion, but she refuses him until there is proof of Carrington's death. They go on a search for him on Carter's yacht, but there is an explosion and Marion is put on a lifeboat. It lands on the island where Carrington is living. Although he makes sure she is all right, he insists there is nothing more between them -- until she is attacked by a castaway sailor. Carrington saves her and discovers that the sailor has a hidden lifeboat. He equips it and they leave the island to head back to civilization.