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The Mad Hermit
(1914) United States of America
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Francis Ford
Cast: Francis Ford [Gray, the mad hermit], Grace Cunard [Grace, Gray’s wife], Helen Clark [Gray’s squaw], Harry Schumm [Lieutenant Lloyd]
New York Motion Picture Company production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [101-Bison]. / Produced by Thomas H. Ince. Scenario by Grace Cunard. / Released 31 January 1914. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was rereleased in the USA by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, in 1916.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Gray is a scout. He and his wife are traveling West with other settlers and soldiers. It is Gray who has the tragic fight with the Indian, which results in the loss of his memory. Gray slinks away into the mountains, attended by the sister of the Indian he fought, who has taken a fancy to him. Later, this squaw falls in love with Gray and guards him jealously. Time passes on. Gray’s wife, Grace, forgets him in the good time she is having at the Fort flirting with the officers, and in particular with Lieutenant Lloyd. He proposes to her and she, thinking her husband dead, accepts. Time comes when miners and others complain of a bad man who throws rocks at them and seems impervious to their shots. Soldiers are sent to get this fellow, but he manages to drop from a tree upon a prospector and escape. Many times the soldiers and miners try to get him, but fail. Grace’s wedding day arrives. She and Lloyd walk in the woods. Lloyd returns to the Fort for a few moments and it is during his absence that Grace comes face to face with the famous ‘Mad Hermit,’ her husband. She backs off, horrified. When Grace goes, the squaw approaches Gray, whose memory is returning through the meeting with his wife. Gray returns to his cave to gather his wits and the Indian follows, angered. Grace seeks her room in terror. She takes a revolver and goes into the woods again to kill the man who once loved her. She fails when Gray comes upon her suddenly; she returns to the house and starts to dress for the wedding. That night Gray follows and enters her room. Alone, he is confronted with Lloyd, and a terrific fight ensues. The squaw, furious with jealousy, sees a shadow from the outside and shoots. Lloyd staggers into the room to lift Grace, but is pushed aside by Gray, who tenderly lifts the woman and starts away with her, laughing wildly at Lloyd and the assembled guests.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 29 March 2020.
References: ClasIm-224 p. 42 : Website-IMDb.
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