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The Vision of the Shepherd
Also known as {The Vision of the Shepard}
(1915) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Colin Campbell
Cast: Kathlyn Williams [Nell, the shepherd’s daughter], Wheeler Oakman [Arthur Harding], Frank Clark [Old Jacob, the shepherd], Eugenie Besserer [Maggie Hunt]
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by [?] V-L-S-E, Incorporated, or The General Film Company, Incorporated? / Produced by William N. Selig. Scenario by Malcolm Douglas. / Released 1 February 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Old Jacob, the shepherd, while securing his flock of sheep for the night, stands entranced because of a wonderful vision of the Supreme Being. In the vision the Lord asks him if the sheep are all safe in the fold. Jacob replies that they are, but discovers later that a little lamb is missing. Lantern in hand, he goes forth to search for the missing lamb. He discovers the frightened little creature and restores it to the distressed mother ewe. Old Jacob has accepted the vision as a literal inquiry about the welfare of his flock. The simple old fellow does not realize that his most precious lamb, Nell, his only daughter, stands on the threshold of a great indiscretion and that her safety requires his intervention. She has become infatuated with a young scoundrel, Arthur Harding, who has persuaded her to elope with him under the promise of marriage. Nell flees from the safety and comfort of her modest home and betrays the affections of two honest old hearts that beat only for her. Again old Jacob has a vision of the Lord. This time he replies to the question, “Are all of the sheep safe in the fold?” with a sad shake of the head and the word, “No.” Again the vision directs him to go forth and seek the missing. Jacob decides to go to the city at once to try and find his daughter, Nell. In the meantime, Harding, who is as rich as he is unscrupulous, has taken Nell in his automobile to the city, where he has installed her in his handsome apartments. He realizes that it will be impossible for him to persuade the simple country girl to accede to his demands without making her his dupe as well as his prey. He invokes the aid of an unprincipled old scoundrel named Giles, an actor, who agrees to act the part of a minister and perform a mock marriage between Nell and Harding. The hour for the ceremony is set and Giles performs a bogus ceremony. He falls in a faint, however, before the final words have been spoken by his false lips. Harding rushes into an adjoining room for stimulants, which he does not find ready to his hand, and while searching for same, Giles revives. The heart of the old scoundrel is touched by the innocence and sweetness of Nell and he tells her the truth. In horror, she seeks flight and Harding returns too late to prevent her escape. Giles, who is now determined to try and set matters right, sturdily opposes Harding’s pursuit of Nell, who reaches the street safely and flees into a small public park. Nell passes a miserable night on a bench in the park. On the following morning while battling with her perplexities as to what course she shall pursue, Harding discovers her. He attempts to reassure her and persuade her to go with him, but her horror at the disclosure of his falsity and treachery causes her to cry out for help in her extremity and anguish. Maggie Hunt, a Salvation Army lassie, is passing through the park at this time and her attention is attracted by the frenzied appeals for help on the part of Nell. Harding takes flight while Nell accompanies her rescuer to the Salvation Army barracks. Maggie gives her food and induces Nell to attend the morning services in the Salvation Army Chapel. Old Jacob has turned his footsteps toward the Salvation Army Chapel and there he is overjoyed to find his daughter. He returns home with her.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 9 August 2023.
References: Website-IMDb.
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