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The Romance of Circle Ranch
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 950 feet
Directed by William F. Haddock
Cast: Francis Ford [Honest Jim], Edith Storey [Bess], William Clifford [Jack Rance], Henry Stanley [Sam Sing, the Chinese laundryman]
G. Méliès production; distributed [?] on State Rights basis? by G. Méliès. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. Cinematography by William Paley. / Released 25 August 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / [?] Release date attributions of 26 August 1910 are in error.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Getting his laundry from the Chinaman, “Honest Jim” spruces himself up in preparation to make a call on “Bess,” with whom he is in love. Calling at Circle Ranch, her home, he finds Jack Rance making overtures to her father for “Bess’” hand. She greets Jim pleasantly, but she dislikes Jack; there is something about him which is distasteful to her and when her father intercedes for him she leaves the porch and hurries into the house. She does not have to wait very long to see “Jim” and “Jack” in their true colors and make a choice between the two. The clergyman of the ranch settlement and the surrounding country comes to the post office where a crowd of cowboys are gathered to receive their mail. Jack approaches him saving. “Dance, d—n you, dance!” The minister refuses and Jack shoots a revolver at his feet and the godly man is obliged to do the light fantastic to the great amusement of the rest of the boys, The next victim of the bully’s pranks is the Chinese laundryman, whom Jack taunts, kicking over his basket of laundry, and, when the “chink” resents the insult, Jack makes a lunge at him which is intercepted by “Honest Jim,” who knocks the bully down. Bess is a witness of these doings and then and there selects the better man. Jack receives a letter announcing that he has won out in a claim for a mine and is now a rich man. At once he goes to Bess’ father, shows him the letter. The father calls Bess in the room and Jack shows her the letter. She throws it upon the floor in disgust. Bess tells her father that she has made up her mind and will marry Jim. He tells her he will not consent to the match, she must marry Jack; then commands her to go to her room. She decides to elope with Jim, sees the Chinaman passing the window and gives him a note telling Jim to meet her at the three-mile turn of the road, bring a clergyman they will get married despite every opposition. The note is delivered. Jim gets “Sam Sing” to go for the clergyman. Glad to get square with Jack for his insults, Sam and the clergyman are only too glad to offer their services to the happy pair. All hands meet at the appointed place, the ceremony is nearly completed when Jack and Bess’ father, who have discovered the girl’s flight, are seen approaching in hot pursuit. The eloping party jump on their horses and the marriage is consummated by the minister as they are riding at full gallop. The ride is a hot one and full of excitement. You can’t help urging the horses on and yon find yourself moving up and down with the motion of their pace; it is some ride, you must admit. When the horses are brought to a halt the father and Jack learn that Jim and Bess are one. The father, after all, is not displeased, forgives his daughter, welcomes Jim as his son-in-law while Jack slinks off, vanquished and smarting under the derisive laugh of the Chinaman and the smile of satisfaction beaming from the placid features of the parson.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 24 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star pp. 119-121, 228 : ClasIm-226 p. 54 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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