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The Smuggler’s Lass
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by Jack J. Clark
Cast: Gene Gauntier [Sheila], Jack J. Clark [Bryan, the smuggler], Albert MacQuarrie [Donald Dhu], Duke Worne [the fishmonger]
New York Motion Picture Company production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [101-Bison]. / Scenario by Jack J. Clark. Cinematography by Charles Rosher. / Released 5 June 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Sheila and Bryan are Irish sweethearts. Bryan is a smuggler, an occupation which causes his pretty sweetheart no end of worry. Bryan tells her that if he succeeds in running a lot of brandy through they will be able to marry without fear of want. Donald Dhu overhears the remark and plans to win the one hundred pounds offered for information leading to the apprehension of the smugglers. Sheila sees Donald and thinks he is up to some mischief. She follows him and sees him enter the castle where the soldiers are quartered. Through a friendly fishmonger, from whom she borrows some fish, it is made possible for her to pass successfully the sentry standing guard at the castle gate. She overhears Donald give his information regarding what will happen that night. Sheila hastens to warn her sweetheart, but even then he is busy helping unload the forbidden brandy. The soldiers are on their way and surround the smugglers just as Sheila has arrived with her warning. Bryan sends his sweetheart out of danger and he and the smugglers put up a brave fight, finally escaping in the darkness. Next morning, Donald, knowing that Bryan will most likely go to see Sheila, tells the soldiers and they set out for the cottage where Sheila and her mother live. Bryan is there with Sheila. Sheila’s mother is outside the cottage and sees Donald approach, he having been sent ahead by the soldiers. She instantly surmises his purpose and by her loud talking outside the cottage endeavors to warn those within. She is successful and Sheila hides Bryan in the chimney. When Donald enters the cottage, he finds Sheila apparently alone and sweeping up the floor. Unfortunately, Bryan, in the chimney, is forced to sneeze. Donald hears him and immediately knows Bryan is hidden away in the chimney. He pretends to innocently pile turf on the fire and Bryan is finally forced to descend into the room, A fight follows between Bryan and Donald, which is ended by the entrance of the soldiers who have surrounded the cottage outside. Bryan is placed under arrest and borne off to the castle and imprisoned. Sheila racks her brain to save her sweetheart. She prepares some loaves of bread and a fresh pat of butter, which she takes to the castle and finally succeeds in giving them to Bryan. Opening the loaf, he finds therein a rope. He makes his escape through the cell window and down the castle wall and by previous appointment, meets Sheila and her mother and they set out for France.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 5 June 1915, page ?] A two-reel story, featuring Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark. The scenes are laid on the Irish coast and are extremely picturesque and attractive. The story itself is conventional and reiterates the familiar Irish romance, with the hero, the girl, the English soldiers and the informer as principal characters. The girl saves the hero and they set sail for America and freedom. This is not in any way new, but it is pictorially above the average and the plot is well constructed.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 7 November 2022.
References: Slide-Ireland p. ? : Website-IMDb.
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