|
Open Places
(1917) United States of America
B&W : Five reels
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
Cast: Jack Gardner [Constable Calhoun], Carl Stockdale [Dan Clark], Ruth King [Mollie Andrews]
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company production; distributed by K-E-S-E Service. / Scenario by W.S. Van Dyke. Presented by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company. / © 13 August 1917 by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company [LP11253]. Released 20 August 1917. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was purchased [?] in March 1919? and rereleased in the USA on State Rights basis by Victor Kremer Film Features, Incorporated, in 1920.
Drama: Northwoods.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Mollie Andrews is a little New England school teacher who goes out to Rawhide, Montana, to “teach the west” its manners. She is of romantic nature, and the picturesque statue and habits of Dan Clark impress her deeply. She marries him. Clark is a bad man at heart. He treats Mollie brutally after the first blush of honeymooning; then slays one of his own kind, and escapes across the border to Canada. The year that passes teaches Mollie some things about mankind she never knew before. One was to appreciate Constable Calhoun, of the Royal Mounted Police, who occasionally called on her, as a real friend. But though their mutual regard for each other ripens finally into love, Mollie remains true to her husband. When he turns up again she exacts a promise from Calhoun, on the strength of his love for her, that he will not harm Clark until the latter strikes the first blow. The beast within Clank still runs amok, however, and he attacks the policeman, unjustly accusing him of undue attentions to Mollie. A struggle ensues in which Clark falls dead. Thus Mollie is released from her marriage vows, and her future brightens with Calhoun awaiting her.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 28 March 2024.
References: ClasIm-225 p. 44 : Website-AFI.
|
