Shifting Sands

Shifting Sands

Marcia Grey is a struggling artist with a sick sister and an unpaid rent bill. The rent collector insults her, there is a struggle, and he drops his wallet. Missing it, he calls a policeman, by way of revenge, and returns to the flat where he accuses Marcia of theft. Unable to defend herself, she is tried, convicted and ultimately 'does time.' Released from prison she joins the Salvation Army and engages in welfare work. This 1918 silent film is noted for being one of the first films to star Gloria Swanson. Swanson (March 27, 1899 - April 4, 1983) was an Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe-winning American Hollywood actress. She was prolific during the silent film era, but her career declined with the advent of 'talkies'. She is now best known for her performance in the film Sunset Boulevard (1950), in which--mirroring her own life--she portrayed a former silent movie star largely forgotten by audiences of the day.