The Rocky Road
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 990 feet
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cast: Frank Powell, Stephanie Longfellow, George O. Nicholls, E. Haldeman, Blanche Sweet, Charles Craig, W. Chrystie Miller [the minister]
Biograph Company production; distributed by Biograph Company. / Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer and Arthur Marvin. / © 6 January 1910 by Biograph Company [J136775]. Released 3 January 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [From Biograph promotional materials] This Biograph subject probably tells the most powerful story ever depicted in motion pictures. The husband through association becomes addicted to drink, deserts his wife and child and goes to a distant village. The wife learns of his departure from his former companion, and her mind becoming unbalanced, takes up her child to follow. / The husband secures a position in a sawmill and determines to brace up. All trace of his wife and little child are lost to him. Meanwhile, the mother and child become separated and the child is adopted by a prosperous farmer, while the mother receives succor in another section. Some years after the man meets his daughter, and being unknown to him, they are betrothed. The wedding is just about to take place when the mother appears and prevents it.
Survival status: Prints exist in the Museum of Modern Art film archive; and in the Library of Congress film archive (paper print collection, American Film Institute collection, Dorothy M. Tayler collection) [35mm paper positive, 35mm preservation negative, 35mm preservation positive].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 5 April 2024.
References: Barry-Griffith p. 42; Drew-Speaking p. 285; Spehr-American p. 3 : MovPicWorld-19100108 p. 26 : Website-AFI : with additional information provided by Frederick Muster.
Home video: DVD.
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