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Bessie’s Ride
(1911) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by William F. Haddock
Cast: Edith Storey [Bessie Fields], Francis Ford [?] [John Burton]?, William Clifford [?] [Steve Ross, Bessie’s sweetheart]?, Henry Stanley [Bessie’s father], William A. Carroll [Crazy Joe], Billy the horse
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. Cinematography by [?] William Paley? / Released 20 July 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Storey’s last film for Méliès.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? John Burton met Bessie Fields on her way home one day, and was for making love to her right then and there, but for the interruption of Crazy Joe, a half-witted boy, who always seemed to get in wrong. Burton was incensed, and, although Bessie protested, applied his whip to the demented boy, when Steve Ross, Bessie’s sweetheart, happened along and rushed to the boy’s rescue. Steve saw that Burton’s attentions were not welcomed and ordered him off the scene. Next day, both went to Mr. Fields, and proposed for Bessie’s hand. When Burton learned that Steve had been accepted, he rushed from the house, fired back upon it, and fled. Of two shots spent, one hit and killed Mr. Fields. Steve, who was nearby, shot at the fugitive, but missed him. Burton hastened to a saloon, but missed him, were gathered, and hatched a plot to accuse Steve of the crime on circumstantial evidence. The sheriff was called and decided that Steve was guilty. But Burton was not satisfied. With his friends, he raided the jail, and made away with Steve, with the intention of hanging him. Meanwhile, Crazy Joe, in his ramblings, discovered a bullet lodged in the casing of the door, which had not penetrated the house. With this bit of evidence, Bessie, to whom he imparted this news, rode like mad to free her lover, as only one shot had escaped from Steve’s revolver. The sheriff joined in the ride to save a life. Steve was already roped about the neck when they arrived. Happiness was his, indeed. But who was the guilty one? A hasty examination of the guns on those present, disclosed the fact that the bullet corresponded with those used by Burton. He shrunk beneath their gaze, which was evidence enough for cowboys. Steve was given freedom, Bessie happiness, and Burton jail.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Animals: Horses - USA: Texas
Listing updated: 27 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star pp. 57, 75, 209-210, 230 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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