Ella Cinders (1926)

In the grips of a harsh and unforgiving life, Ella Cinders finds herself burdened by the servitude she owes to her wicked stepmother and spiteful stepsisters. Her sole beacon of joy in this sea of despair is her boyfriend, Waite Lifter, a seemingly humble iceman with a secret fortune and a heart full of love for Ella. Amidst her dreary existence, Ella stumbles upon a glimmer of hope - a Hollywood beauty contest advertised in a movie magazine, promising a glamorous contract to the winner. Against all odds, Ella's candid photograph, captured in a comically cross-eyed moment of surprise as a fly lands on her nose, enchants the judges. Despite the unconventional nature of the photograph, she is declared the winner, a testament to her natural charm and authentic beauty. Encouraged by this unexpected victory, Waite, who has been building his physique for football by hauling ice, discloses his true identity as a wealthy heir and professes his intention to marry Ella. Ella's journey to Hollywood, however, is not the star-studded dream she had envisioned. She arrives only to discover the beauty contest was a ruse, a cruel hoax that has left her stranded in a city of broken dreams. Yet, with an unwavering spirit, Ella refuses to surrender to her circumstances. By a fortuitous accident, a film director discovers her potential and casts her in a movie, catapulting her into a world of fame and success that she had only dreamt of. Ella Cinders is a stirring tale of resilience and determination, a testament to the power of dreams and the indomitable human spirit. It's a journey from the cinders of a hard life to the glitz of Hollywood, underscored by love, deception, and the pursuit of a better life.

Ella Cinders is a comedy movie featuring Colleen Moore.

Ella Cinders is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Cineverse and Public Domain Movies and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.