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The Owner of the L.L. Ranch
Also known as [The Owner of L.L. Ranch]
(1911) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] William F. Haddock?
Cast: Edith Storey [Lorna], Francis Ford [Jeff]
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. Cinematography by [?] William Paley? / Released 12 January 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Lorna is a woman and she is all business when it comes to running the “L.L.” Ranch and she has no trouble in handling it and the “boys” who work for her, especially “Jeff,” her foreman, who gives her a hand. She evidently appreciates his services and thinks him a handy and pleasant fellow to have around, her “Runs” are the best in Texas. There is a question of title to her land. Finally the Supreme Court decides against her and she is obliged to turn the “L.L.” Ranch over to Sir Reginald Coutts-Harcourt, in whose favor the decision has been made. He is an overbearing fellow and meets with the dislike of the cowpunchers, who despise him as much on Lorna’s account as for himself. Lorna gives him respectful attention but repulses all his familiarities as she explains to him the boundaries of the place, its general workings and stock. After turning things over to him she buys a smaller ranch and starts in business again with fresh hope and ambition. Sir Reginald has very little use for a ranch and places it on sale with a local real estate dealer to whom he gives full power of attorney to dispose of it, little thinking that Jeff, who has suddenly come into possession of money through the sale of a mine in which he had half-interest, would be the buyer. “Sir Reggie” hates Jeff and Jeff returns the compliment and takes great pleasure in getting square with his Lordship through the purchase of the “L.L.” The climax comes and Jeff has his sweet revenge. Just as the cowboys, who are “soused,” decide to have a “necktie party” by hanging “Reggie,” Lorna notifies Jeff by messenger of the doings of the “boys,” and he hastens to get his deed of purchase and hurries to the “L.L.” Ranch, where he finds Sir Reggie with a rope around his neck and Lorna pleading with the boys not to do anything rash. Jeff jumps off his horse, tells the boys to stand back, sows Sir Reginald his deed to the place and orders him to make himself scarce as soon as possible. The ranchers wave their hats and cheer when they know that Jeff owns the “L.L.” Ranch in joint partnership with Lorna who agrees to become his helper for life.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 28 January 1911, page ?] A Western comedy, detailing with some success, the adventures of a lord who contests a claim for a ranch with a woman, popular with all the cowboys and wins. Through some of those strange events in the way of fate, her favorite cowboy, and her abject slave, comes into possession of money and buys back the ranch. Before it is known, however, the irate cowboys have decided to make a shining example of the lord, and the new owner arrives at the ranch to find the lord fitted out with a hempen necktie, traveling the road that leads toward eternity. He is released and makes a getaway that is surprising in its celerity. Then the new owner and the former proprietor conclude a bargain which makes them joint proprietors for life. A lively and well-acted picture, telling a straightforward story.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 25 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star pp. 29, 158-159, 229 : ClasIm-226 p. 54 : Website-IMDb.
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