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The Huron Converts
(1916) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: Joseph Henabery [Asaban], Bessie Buskirk [Monoka], H. Moody (Harry Moody) [the Jesuit missionary], Dark Cloud [the Indian chief], Francis Carpenter [a child]
Reliance Motion Picture Corporation production; distributed by Mutual Film Corporation. / Released 22 May 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? A Jesuit missionary and Abasan, an Indian convert of his, are tortured by a tribe which resents their teachings. Some simple miracles, however, overawe the Indians and the missionary and his disciple are allowed to continue their work. Among those whom they win over to Christianity is Monoka, a beautiful Indian girl, whose sentiment becomes divided between the new religion and love for Abasan. Monoka’s mother is a witch. She invokes a hideous spirit which visits the girl and puts her under a spell. Monoka is stricken blind. The medicine man is called in, but he can do nothing. The priest and Abassan drive away the evil spirit and restore the girl’s sight. Soon after this she is dragged off into the mountains by spies of the witch who fasten her to a rock to perish if she will not renounce the Christian faith. Several days later the Jesuit and Abasan find Monoka in the wilderness. They arrive just in time to save her from death. Monoka and Abasan are married by the priest.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 29 May 1916, page ?] A two-reel Indian picture, demonstrating how the Jesuit missionaries brought the Christian faith to the redskins in America’s early history. The cast includes Joseph Henabery, Bessie Buskirk, H. Moody and Dark Cloud. The scenes are picturesque and pleasing and the incidents adhere to Indian traditions and superstitions. The most exciting scene is that in which the priest and his Indian assistant escape burning at the stake. This is an entertaining production of its type.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Jesuits - Native Americans
Listing updated: 5 November 2022.
References: Bohn-Light p. 112 : Website-IMDb.
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