When the Clouds Roll By (1919) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An ambitious New Yorker survives psychological persecution, protects his love, and reaches a happy resolution through escalating danger.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Superstitious Target

Daniel Boone Brown is introduced as an ambitious but superstitious New Yorker. Dr. Metz begins arranging misfortunes designed to push him toward suicide.

Key Events

• Daniel Faces Superstition — Daniel is introduced as a superstitious and ambitious young New Yorker. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown Location: New York
• Metz Begins His Scheme — Dr. Metz arranges circumstances designed to drive Daniel toward suicide. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York
• Associates Join the Experiment — Metz receives help from numerous unnamed associates serving scientific interests. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York
• Broken Mirrors Appear — Broken mirrors become part of the misfortunes seemingly affecting Daniel. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York

Love Amid Misfortune

Broken mirrors, black cats, and related misfortunes increase Daniel's fear. He meets Greenwich Village artist Lucette Bancroft, and mutual love develops.

Key Events

• Black Cats Intensify Fear — Black cats and similar signs deepen Daniel's superstitious anxiety. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York
• Misfortunes Multiply — A sequence of bewildering misfortunes appears to emanate from superstitious sources. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York
• Daniel Meets Lucette — Daniel meets Lucette Bancroft, an artist in Greenwich Village. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Lucette Bancroft Location: Greenwich Village
• Mutual Love Develops — Daniel and Lucette develop mutual love after their meeting. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Lucette Bancroft Location: Greenwich Village

Schemes Beneath the Surface

A Westerner connected to Lucette's father's land partnership arrives in the city. He plots to defraud his partner while Metz's pressure against Daniel continues.

Key Events

• Western Land Dispute Emerges — A Westerner connected to Lucette's father's land partnership comes to the city. Characters: Lucette Bancroft Location: New York
• Defrauding Plot Forms — The Westerner plots with Lucette's uncle to defraud his business partner. Characters: Lucette Bancroft Location: New York
• Metz Escalates Pressure — Metz and his aides continue circumstances intended to break Daniel psychologically. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York

The Psychiatrist Exposed

Daniel is driven to the verge of suicide by Metz and his aides. Daniel is saved when Metz is discovered to be insane.

Key Events

• Daniel Nears Suicide — The scientific persecution drives Daniel to the verge of suicide. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York
• Metz Is Exposed — It is discovered that Dr. Metz is insane. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York
• Daniel Is Saved — The discovery of Metz's insanity saves Daniel from the immediate crisis. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Dr. Ulrich Metz Location: New York

Flooded Journey Home

The Westerner convinces Lucette to return west, and Daniel follows. A flood engulfs their train, after which Daniel brings about a happy resolution.

Key Events

• Lucette Is Persuaded West — The Westerner convinces Lucette to return to the west with him. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Lucette Bancroft Location: New York
• Daniel Follows the Westerner — Daniel follows the Westerner after Lucette is persuaded to travel west. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Lucette Bancroft Location: Train
• Train Enters Flood Area — The train carrying Daniel and Lucette is overtaken as a flood engulfs its route. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Lucette Bancroft Location: Train
• Flood Threatens the Journey — The flood creates the final physical danger during the westward journey. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Lucette Bancroft Location: Train
• Daniel Secures Happy Outcome — Daniel brings about a happy resolution after following Lucette and confronting the journey's danger. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Lucette Bancroft Location: West
• Romantic Conflict Resolves — The film closes with Daniel's actions producing a happy resolution for the central romantic plot. Characters: Daniel Boone Brown, Lucette Bancroft Location: West

Story Breakdown

• Daniel's Superstitious World — Daniel begins as an ambitious young New Yorker whose superstition makes him vulnerable to psychological manipulation.
  • Ambitious New Yorker — Daniel Boone Brown is introduced as young, ambitious, and superstitious.
  • Fearful Omens — Broken mirrors and black cats become sources of bewildering misfortune.
• Metz's Psychological Scheme — Dr. Ulrich Metz uses associates and arranged circumstances to push Daniel toward suicide.
  • Scientific Manipulation — Metz arranges circumstances in the stated interests of science.
  • Growing Persecution — The repeated misfortunes drive Daniel steadily toward despair.
• Love in Greenwich Village — Daniel's meeting with artist Lucette introduces mutual love amid the escalating misfortunes.
  • First Meeting — Daniel meets Lucette Bancroft in Greenwich Village.
  • Mutual Love — The two characters develop mutual romantic affection.
• The Western Land Plot — A Westerner arrives in the city and schemes to defraud a partner connected to Lucette's family.
  • City Arrival — The Westerner comes to the city from the west.
  • Fraudulent Partnership — He plots with Lucette's uncle to defraud his land partner.
• Daniel's Darkest Crisis — Metz's campaign reaches its most dangerous point before the psychiatrist's insanity is discovered.
  • Edge Of Suicide — Daniel is driven to the verge of suicide by Metz and his aides.
  • Metz Exposed — The discovery that Metz is insane saves Daniel from the crisis.
• Flooded Romantic Journey — Daniel follows Lucette's westward journey and faces a flood that threatens the train.
  • Lucette Goes West — The Westerner convinces Lucette to return to the west with him.
  • Train In The Flood — Daniel follows, and a flood engulfs the train carrying them.
• Happy Resolution — Daniel's actions produce the film's stated happy resolution after the psychological and physical dangers.
  • Daniel Prevails — Daniel brings about the outcome after following the westward journey.
  • Romantic Closure — The central romantic plot reaches a happy conclusion.

Directed by

Victor Fleming

Key Cast

• Douglas Fairbanks — Daniel Boone Brown
• Albert MacQuarrie — Hobson
• Kathleen Clifford — Lucette Bancroft
• Frank Campeau — Mark Drake
• Ralph Lewis — Curtis Brown