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Capital Versus Labor
Also known as [Capital vs. Labor]
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 949 feet
Directed by Van Dyke Brooke
Cast: Maurice Costello, Harry T. Morey, Earle Williams
The Vitagraph Company of America production; distributed by The Vitagraph Company of America. / Released 22 March 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 26 March 1910, page ?] The daughter of a capitalist and manufacturer is courted by a young officer of the militia, and, at the same time, a young clergyman is deeply in love with her. She seems to favor the military man, because, as she says, she prefers “a man who does things, to one who simply preaches them.” Dissatisfaction arises among the employees of the big manufacturing plant of the town. A committee calls upon the manager and proprietor, whom we must identify as the father of the young lady in love with the soldier. The committee requests a recognition of their rights; the manager refuses. Trouble seems imminent, and the young clergyman appeals to the proprietor in behalf of the men. His intercession is also denied. The strike is on. Crowds assemble in mass meetings, agitators incense them with hatred and inflame them with vengeance, and violence runs riot. The mob marches towards the home of the manufacturer, whose household has been warned of the approaching danger. The young officer is visiting the daughter. She appeals to him for protection and asks him to intercede with the mob. He dares not face them single-handed and promises to return with his regiment and protect her and her home. Then he leaves her. The mob attacks the home, breaks the doors and windows, forces an entrance into the house, demolishes the furnishings, and threatens her father, in whose arms she is clasped. While the fury of the mob is at its height, the young minister rushes into the room, checks and silences the strikers, and gains from their employer all their claims and privileges. After this has been done, the young officer returns with his regiment, but there is no need for his services. The young clergyman has won the respect of the capitalist, the cause of labor, and the heart of the young girl, who now knows that he is not only a man of words but also a man of deeds.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 2 April 1910, page ?] The chief interest in this picture will center in the scenes depicting a strike and the riotous work of a mob. It is much too realistic to be comfortable. It gives a graphic representation of mob violence when unrestrained. It is a good bit of acting when the young minister rushes in, calms the mob, obtains concessions from the capitalist, and in reality saves the day for everybody. The soldier with his regiment arrives too late to be of service. Perhaps the picture will have a salutary influence during this season when strikes pervade the air and from almost every section of the country comes talk of industrial complaint.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 8 August 2023.
References: Sloan-Loud pp. 2, 9, 58, 59, 125, 146 : Website-AFI.
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