The Learnin’ of Jim Benton
(1917) United States of America
B&W : Five reels
Directed by Cliff Smith (Clifford Smith)
Cast: Roy Stewart [Jim Benton], Fritzi Ridgeway [Evelyn Hastings], Walter Perry [Joe], Edward Brady (Ed Brady) [Harvey Knowles], Thornton Edwards [Sid Harvey], William Ellingford, Harry L. Rattenberry, John P. Wild (J.P. Wild)
New York Motion Picture Corporation production; distributed by Triangle Distributing Corporation [Kay-Bee]. / Produced by Thomas H. Ince. Scenario by Al Neitz (Alan James). Cinematography by Cap Crane (Captain Crane). / Released 9 December 1917. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Jim Benton has been too busy making money to learn to read and write, but he persuades Evelyn Hastings to open school on his ranch and he is her most devoted pupil. The sheepmen carry out their threat to cut off Benton’s water supply and Evelyn makes him promise to shoot only in self-defense. He keeps his promise, but still he has to kill, and a packed jury of sheepmen bring in a death verdict. The cattlemen attempt a rescue, but it is Evelyn who saves the day.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 13 August 2023.
References: Lahue-Triangle pp. 137-138 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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