The Island of Regeneration


The Island of Regeneration is a 1915 drama film directed by Harry Davenport. It was produced by Vitagraph Studios.

Plot

Katherine Brenton, a wealthy, high-spirited girl, becomes imbued with the idea that perfect platonic friendship can exist between man and woman under all conditions. Valentine Langford, a wealthy clubman and one of her converts, suggests that they put their theories to the test by taking a trip together on his yacht. In the South Pacific,the man's true character asserts itself and he attempts to seize the girl, but she escapes in the yacht's tender;eventually drifting ashore on a small island. There she is found by John Charnock,the only inhabitant, who 20 years before, a mere child had been cast away on the island. He lacks the power of speech and she realizes he is actually a man with a child's mentality. Her wishes-conveyed by sign -he obeys with dog-­like devotion. She later finds some trinkets near a half-buried skeleton which convinces her to the mans identity. She immediately proceds with his education, imbuing him with her ideals, but in the process, extending over three years, realizes she is falling in love with him. Meanwhile,Langford,back in San Francisco,has set out again in his yacht to find Kate, whom he believes is still alive. An earthquake upon the island and a daring rescue by Charnock,now an educated man, bring the pair to a realization of their mutual love,which is uninter­rupted until one day Kate sights a ship and lights a beacon on shore, that attracts Langford's attention. Upon landing he and Charnock nearly come to blows when the former claims the girl. Charnock’s love is shaken and Kate hides herself in a secret cave. Believing her dead, Charnock returns to the United States. Eventually,when Langford, who has found Kate, advises him to go back to the island, Charnock finds the girl of his dreams awaiting him with open arms.

Cast

Reception

The Houston Post gave the film a positive review. A contemporary review in Variety was also positive, calling the film a feature that "stands up on its merits".

Preservation

It is not known whether the film currently survives.