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A Western Romance
(1910) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel / 690 feet
Directed by Edwin S. Porter
Cast: [?] J. Barney Sherry?
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / Scenario by Edwin S. Porter. / © 22 March 1910 by Edison Manufacturing Company [J139418, J139419, J139420]. Released 22 March 1910; in a split-reel with The Man with the Weak Heart (1910). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 26 March 1910, page ?] The story tells of two children who are betrothed, while both are living in the East, in conformity to a clause in a will by the provisions of which a fortune is left to the little girl providing she marries the boy before her twenty-fifth birthday. Shortly after the betrothal the parents of the little girl move to the West, where she grows up, forgetting entirely the sweetheart of her childhood days. When she learns that her hand was promised in marriage while still a child she refuses to abide by it, protesting that she will never marry any man unless she loves him. Of course her mother writes this to her old friend, the mother of the boy, and also sends a photograph of the girl. When the young man sees the picture he falls in love with the original at once and starts for the West, under an assumed name, to win her love and affection, the young lady, of course, being unaware of his intended visit. Arriving at the little town in the West he finds he has a rival, but has little difficulty in taking the lead in this race for love. In fact he makes so deep an impression on the start and progresses so rapidly in his love-making that he has the field entirely to himself so far as the young lady is concerned. His rival, recognizing the necessity of prompt action if he is not to lose out in his suit, hires some of the Indians of his neighborhood to do away with our hero, and they are only prevented from doing so by his sweetheart, who had overheard the plot and who rescues him in a thrilling manner. Shortly after this the young lady and her mother visit the East, and there the young lady is again urged to marry her childhood sweetheart. She refuses emphatically, protesting that her heart has been given to another, unaware of the fact that this other is her boy lover under an assumed name.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 2 April 1910, page ?] A romance full of the snap and go of the plains, yet made even more interesting by the love story which is interwoven, supplying a deep heart interest. Not always are clauses in wills imposing matrimonial alliances so literally consummated as this one, but it was not the girl’s fault. She resisted as long as she could, but when her betrothed won her affections under an assumed name, what was she to do? Real cowboys and real Indians were employed in the production of this film, contributing materially to the interest which it excites. The rescue by the young woman is a thrilling bit of acting, and adds much to the interest of the picture. One’s interest is maintained throughout, and there are many little touches which do much to heighten the effect and increase the general attractiveness of the film. Western dramas, or those depicting with accuracy life and conditions on the plains, are popular favorites and this house is to be congratulated for adding another of such excellence to the list.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 12 April 2024.
Reference: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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