The Broadway Drifter

In the twilight of the silent era, The Broadway Drifter presents a curious transformation of the 'prodigal son' trope. Bob Stafford, the quintessential Jazz Age wastrel, finds himself cast out of his father's industrial empire for a life of aimless indulgence. Stripped of his inheritance and his name, Stafford pivots from socialite to scammer, opening a boutique gymnasium designed to separate wealthy young women from their money under the guise of physical fitness. This venture into the burgeoning health culture of the 1920s introduces him to Eileen, a woman who challenges his cynical worldview. However, the film takes a sharp turn when Bob’s past and his business rivals collide, forcing him to trade his gym clothes for factory overalls in an airplane manufacturing plant. When an accusation of industrial espionage threatens to destroy his burgeoning redemption, Bob must navigate a web of family secrets and corporate sabotage to prove his worth in a world that only values production.