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What Great Bear Learned
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 980 feet
Directed by William F. Haddock
Cast: Francis Ford [the Mexican], Edith Storey
G. Méliès production; distributed [?] on State Rights basis by G. Méliès? / Produced by Gaston Méliès. Cinematography by William Paley. / Released 8 December 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 10 December 1910, page ?] All is fair in love and war, but when we go into it we must take our chances. A Mexican beauty, fascinating and venturous, is in love with a young Mexican, willing to do and act for him regardless of her own safety and reputation. The Mexican is playing cards with a party of cowboys, is aided by his inamorata in passing an extra card into his hand in order to cheat his opponents. The trick is detected by an onlooker, who snatches the card and exposes the tricksters. The boys seize the Mexican, but through the cajoling entreaties of the woman they decide to let them go, provided they will leave the territory and make themselves scarce. Out in the wilds the two schemers have to shift as best they can. Going to the river for water, the Mexican bravado comes across some Indians who are panning gold dirt in the stream. He goes back to his sweetheart and tells her and she says she will get the secret of the source of the gold-dust from Great Bear, with whom she has become acquainted, and wheedle the knowledge from him. She makes advances to the Indian, pretends she is in love with him, and he tells her where the pay dirt is located. Great Bear ignores his squaw and casts her aside when she discovers him embracing the Spanish deceiver. The wife tells the braves of the rascality of the woman and the treason of her husband. The braves find that the Mexicans have robbed them of their treasures and that they are about to flee the country. The Indians seize the woman, and she furiously resists them. While she is struggling, her lover comes upon the scene and fights for her. Great Bear learns the truth, throws off his mantle, and challenges the Mexicans. They draw their knives and ‘fight to the knife.’ The chief strikes his antagonist and he falls wounded upon the ground. The Indians lift him to his feet and throw him on his horse, put the woman on her horse, and tell them to go or they will suffer the consequences. They leave. Great Bear’s wife stands before him; she hangs his head in shame and says he has learned a lesson. She promises to forgive and forget.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Mexicans - Native Americans
Listing updated: 22 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star pp. 35, 148-149, 229 : ClasIm-226 p. 54 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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