The Desperate Hero

  • 1920
  • NR
  • 60m
movieMx RATING
9.0
1
VERDICT
SUPER HIT
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The Desperate Hero Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: May 12, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: May 12, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: The Desperate Hero

MovieThe Desperate Hero
Release Year1920
DirectorWesley Ruggles
GenreComedy / Drama
Runtime60 minutes (1h 0m)
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Desperate Hero (1920) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 9.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in The Desperate Hero are led by Owen Moore . The supporting cast, including Gloria Hope and Emmett King , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of The Desperate Hero (1920) is highly positive. It’s one of the standout releases of the year. With a platform rating of 9.0/10, it currently stands as a SUPER HIT in our database.

What Works in the Movie

The Desperate Hero stands out as a strong entry in the Comedy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.

  • Compelling performances from the main cast
  • Strong visual storytelling and direction
  • Well-structured Comedy narrative
  • Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, The Desperate Hero has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: The Desperate Hero

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1920, The Desperate Hero is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Wesley Ruggles, written by Zelda Crosby. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Owen Moore as Henry Baird.

Ending Explained: The Desperate Hero

The Desperate Hero Ending Explained: Henry Baird, a young newspaperman with a second-hand car but little money, decides to raffle off the car at a county picnic, so that he can take out his sweetheart, Mabel Darrow, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Directed by Wesley Ruggles, this 1920 comedy film stars Owen Moore (Henry Baird), alongside Gloria Hope as Mabel Darrow, Emmett King as Philip Darrow, Rube Miller as Alan Moss. With a 9/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.

What Happens at the End of The Desperate Hero?

Henry Baird, a young newspaperman with a second-hand car but little money, decides to raffle off the car at a county picnic, so that he can take out his sweetheart, Mabel Darrow, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. However, as soon as Henry gets the money, his tailor demands that he pay off his debt. Also, youngsters set the car on fire before he can give to the winner, Joseph Plant, whose wife Evelyn was formerly Henry's sweetheart.

Wesley Ruggles's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Owen Moore (Henry Baird)'s journey. However, as soon as Henry gets the money, his tailor demands that he pay off his debt.

How Does Owen Moore (Henry Baird)'s Story End?

  • Owen Moore: Owen Moore's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Wesley Ruggles delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 0m runtime.
  • Gloria Hope (Mabel Darrow): Gloria Hope's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
  • Emmett King (Philip Darrow): Emmett King's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Desperate Hero Mean?

The Desperate Hero concludes with Wesley Ruggles reinforcing the comedy themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Owen Moore leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.

The Desperate Hero Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

Is The Desperate Hero Based on a True Story?

No, The Desperate Hero is a work of fiction. While the comedy, drama film directed by Wesley Ruggles and starring Owen Moore may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.

Who Should Watch The Desperate Hero?

Highly Recommended For:

  • Fans of Comedy cinema looking for quality storytelling
  • Viewers who appreciate smart humor and well-timed comedic performances
  • Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises

At just 60 minutes, it's a quick watch.

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The Desperate Hero Parents Guide & Age Rating

1920 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Desperate Hero age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Desperate Hero is rated NR.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Desperate Hero (1920) is 60 minutes (1h 0m). Directed by Wesley Ruggles, the film runs for 60 minutes in its complete theatrical version.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 9.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Desperate Hero is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1920 cinematic calendar.

SUPER HIT
Official movieMx status for The Desperate Hero. Rating: 9.0/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Desperate Hero worth watching?

The Desperate Hero is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 9/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Desperate Hero parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Desperate Hero identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the runtime of The Desperate Hero (1920)?

The runtime of The Desperate Hero (1920) is 60 minutes (approximately 1h 0m).

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 9.0
The Desperate Hero
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