In the inaugural episode of Cavalcade of America, titled The Lost Colony, we are transported to the late 16th century, where Eleanor Dare, played by Loretta Young, finds herself torn between familial duty and her dreams of adventure. Her father, Governor White, is determined to secure her future through a marriage to Captain Ananias Dare, a man of respectable standing. However, Eleanor's heart lies elsewhere, captivated by the tales of the New World, particularly Roanoke Island, which has enchanted many with its promise of opportunity and freedom.