Prodigal Daughters Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?

What Happens at the End of Prodigal Daughters?

Elinor "Swifty" Forbes and her younger sister Marjory are the carefree daughters of wealthy J. D. Forbes. Their mother shows no restraint over her daughters, so they live among the flapper set. Lester Hodges, a songwriter, is enamored of Marjory, while Garside, who runs a card room, is interested in Swifty. While gambling at Garside's place, Swifty meets Roger Corbin, who works as an engineer at her father's business. Corbin falls in love with Swifty. When Mr. Forbes protests against both his daughters' behavior, they move out. Marjory marries Hodges, but eventually leaves him and returns to her parents. Swifty, who has gambled herself into debt, agrees to marry Garside. But when the couple are together in a café, prohibition agents raid the place.

Sam Wood's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Gloria Swanson (Swifty Forbes)'s journey. Their mother shows no restraint over her daughters, so they live among the flapper set.

How Does Gloria Swanson (Swifty Forbes)'s Story End?

• Gloria Swanson: Gloria Swanson's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Ralph Graves (Roger Corbin): Ralph Graves's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Vera Reynolds (Marjory Forbes): Vera Reynolds's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of Prodigal Daughters Mean?

The ending of Prodigal Daughters brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Gloria Swanson's story may not satisfy all audiences.