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The Call of the Wilderness
(1911) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Gaston Méliès and/or Robert Goodman?
Cast: [?] Francis Ford?
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 31 August 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? John Stuart, the young Londoner, who received a monthly remittance from the estate of his late uncle, found life rather boresome, now that all his whims were satisfied by the aid of plenty of spending money, and as a last recourse, decided to go to America and buy a mine. In a lonely spot in Colorado, far from the usual path of any “pale face,” sat Starlight, only daughter of White Buffalo, the dead chief, mourning his death. At his resting place she remained until bodily wants overcame her and she sank in a faint. Stuart, the miner, in search of a suitable location, found the girl exhausted and carried her to his cabin. In a week or so Starlight became better and Stuart thought it time she return to her camp. The Indian girl was surprised. Was she not by every Indian right bound to marry Stuart? Could an Indian maiden return to her camp alone? With the fervor of her youth, she clasped Stuart about the neck and begged him. The marriage over, the little cabin soon gave evidence of her housewifely skill. All was happiness and bliss until one day Stuart received word from his London solicitors that, his aunt was now dead, he sole heir to his uncle’s estate and to come to London at once. Stuart left Colorado hurriedly and secretly, lacking courage to bid Starlight farewell. In England a grand reception awaited the heir. Ambitious mothers with marriageable daughters flocked about him galore. They bored him with their attentions. They asked him about his life in America, which suddenly brought back to his mind visions of his little cabin in the woods, and of his little Indian bride. He realized he never should have left her, that she might now be dying, waiting for him. It was the call of the wilderness. He returned with all speed to the little Colorado town, hastened to his cabin, but it was empty, and devoid of all evidence of recent habitation. He roamed the woods, calling: “Star-light. Star-light,” but there came no answer. Suddenly he thought of the dead chief’s grave. He rode like mad to the spot, and there lay Starlight, almost gone. He clasped her to his breast, gave her drink and warmed her hands. Finally she opened her eyes and recognized her husband. With a last feeble effort she once again clasped her arms around his neck and drew his face close to hers for a kiss. And then, with a contented smile, she sank back in his arms. A broken heart had been given eternal rest.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 16 September 1911, page ?] In this film is told a strongly dramatic story. It is of a young London man, who seeks adventure in the American wilderness, marries an Indian girl and lives happily with her until he receives word that he is sole heir to his uncle’s English estates. Leaving his wife he returns to England. For a time all goes well until remembrance of his Indian wife is suddenly forced upon him. Responding to the call of the wild he hastens back to America and arrives in time to have his Indian wife die in his arms. The story is told with skill and is stronger than some Indian dramas, and holds the interest of the audience to the end.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 27 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 230 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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