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In Old California
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 991 feet
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cast: Frank Powell, Arthur Johnson, Marion Leonard, Henry B. Walthall, Mack Sennett, Francis J. Grandon, Charles H. West
Biograph Company production; distributed by Biograph Company. / Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer. / © 12 March 1910 by Biograph Company [J139101]. Released 10 March 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 12 March 1910, page ?] This story starts some time before Mexican independence was proclaimed in California, which occurred in 1822. Perdita Arguello, the pretty Spanish senorita, is beloved by Jose Manuella, a wealthy young Spaniard, who has migrated to the new world in search of adventure. A man of fine qualities, he surrenders claim upon the girl when he finds her heart given to Pedro Cortes, a handsome troubadour of the village. Cortes is just the sort of fellow to impress a thoughtless unsophisticated girl with his gentle persuasive manner, together with his talents as a musician. Of a poetic temperament, she yields to his plea and marries him. But what a calamity! Twenty years later we see the result of her folly. Cortes has proved to be a worthless dipsomaniac and reprobate, spending his time and the money she earns at the tavern. The most unfortunate feature is that they have a son, now nearly nineteen years old. Perdita realizes that the environs and example of the father are not favorable to the boy’s well-being, hence she resolves to save him. It is at a time when Baja and Alta California are in conflict, and Manuella, Perdita’s former lover, is now Governor, so she appeals to him to provide a future for her son. The Governor takes the boy into his own company. But is there any wonder that the son of such a dog as Cortes should prove himself to be a despicable whelp? He is not long in the service when the blood of his father asserts itself. Drunkenness is one of the first offenses. Next theft of the meanest order, that of robbing his sleeping comrades-in-arms. Perdita has despatched a letter of thanks to the Governor, which he is reading as the drunken boy is brought before him. The tone of the letter induces Manuella to be easy with the boy that she might live in ignorance of his real nature. However, later she writes that she is dying and believing her son has made a name for himself, she asks to be allowed to see him before she dies. As the Governor reads this letter the boy is brought before him, having been caught thieving. Manuella is thoroughly disgusted with the boy, but in order to have his mother die happy, he decorates him, making him appear before her as a hero. When she breathes her last the medals are torn from his breast and he is sent to prison where the punishment he justly deserves is inflicted.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 26 March 1910, page ?] A strongly dramatic story with the picturesque background of California in 1822 as a setting. It is well acted and the dramatic situations are developed with intelligence and ability, while the photographic quality is beyond criticism. The story is based upon a romantic marriage, with a deplorable state of affairs in later years as a result of the husband’s drunkenness. The son proves quite as much of an ingrate as his father, but to spare the mother the governor decorates the boy and sends him to his mother as she is dying. It is a dramatic scene, worked out with close attention to details, and characteristic of the excellent work always done by this company. Then comes the climax, when the decorations are torn from the young man’s breast and he is thrown into prison to receive just punishment for his crimes. The picturesque setting adds to the beauty of the picture and is therefore a welcome addition to the film.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: USA: California
Listing updated: 7 August 2023.
References: Barry-Griffith p. 42; Blum-Silent p. 19; Fell-History p. 56; Spehr-American p. 2 : Website-AFI.
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