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The Man from the Desert
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Ulysses Davis
Cast: William Duncan [John Warrington], Myrtle Gonzales [Spencer’s daughter], George Holt [Richard Spencer], Otto Lederer [the old prospector], George Kunkel
The Vitagraph Company of America production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated [Broadway Star Features]. / From a screen story by Jack Wolf. / Released 6 July 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? After three years of prospecting in the desert, partners John Warrington and Richard Spencer decide to call it quits. They have accumulated $40,000 in gold dust. After dividing up, Spencer prepares to start East. Greed takes possession of Spencer. During the night, he robs Warrington, taking with him both pack mules and all the water, leaving John with but a single shell in his revolver, and a note saying that when he goes mad from thirst, the quickest way is the gun. But John Warrington does not die. He is picked up by wandering prospector Bill; later, the two open up a rich lode of gold. They “go cahoots,” and years later, John, still harboring thoughts of vengeance upon Spencer, tells the old miner he is going East after his man. They sell the mine, now a large producer, and, leaving Old Bill to watch the claim, John goes to Chicago. There he meets Spencer’s daughter, falls deeply in love, and locates Spencer himself. For some time John does not know that Spencer is the girl’s father. He sends word for Old Bill to mail a piece of the note to Spencer’s address. Spencer, living in luxury, on his ill-gotten wealth, is struck dumb at sight of the little scrap of paper. He receives these at intervals until he is reduced to a nervous wreck. Learning Spencer is plunging wheat stocks, Warrington kills the man, financially. Then he finds Spencer is the father of the girl he loves, and the hollowness of revenge is brought home to him in bitterness. Spencer, as a last resort, appeals in person to John (who is operating under an assumed name) for a time extension. Then Warrington reveals his real identity, and with bitter irony, points to the big revolver and the one bullet, telling Spencer. “That’s the easiest way!” Fortunately, at this juncture, the girl’s appearance softens Warrington’s heart, and he forgives his enemy.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 18 October 2022.
References: ClasIm-223 p. 56; ClasIm-225 p. 44 : Website-IMDb.
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