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Red Cloud’s Secret
(1911) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Gaston Méliès and/or Robert Goodman?
Cast: Francis Ford [Philip Armstrong, a young clergyman]
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 3 August 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Philip Armstrong, a young clergyman, was advised to go west for his health. Upon arriving at the Bar X ranch he found a lot of rough-looking fellows seated at cards. One of the players, Daley, the leader of the gang, rose and began to put the young easterner through an invitation. But he went too far when he wrenched a Bible from the young man’s hands, and striking the attitude of a preacher, began to read in a sacrilegious manner. Armstrong fought with all his might to recover the Bible, but was overpowered by the bully and fell exhausted to the floor. He was saved from further indignities by the sudden entrance of Doris, the young lady in the town, who commanded everyone’s respect. Soon after, Armstrong secured a position as cook. While at the kitchen door, and old Indian stopped and begged a bite to eat. Armstrong gave him plenty, but the poor old redskin did not have a chance to finish, for Daley chanced by and started to beat him up. Now Armstrong by this time had gained strength and when he saw what was taking place, he soon gave Daley his just deserts. From that time on Daley swore vengeance. In gratitude the Indian gave Armstrong a great secret, the location of a hill rich in gold. The minister went at once with the good news to Doris, from whom he received a promise of marriage. As he left for the promising spot with the Indian, Doris noticed Daley slip by her house. He had heard their conversation as to the location of the mine. Armstrong found the rich spot and left the Indian on guard while he hurried to file a claim. Daley came and there ensued a fierce conflict between him and the Indian. The latter was nearly overpowered when Doris came to his aid. The two held the brutal man at bay until Armstrong returned. Then followed another struggle between the men, in which Armstrong nearly fell over the cliff. An idea seized the Indian. He grappled with Daley and pushed him over the cliff, but in the struggle went with him. Armstrong and Doris were horror-stricken, for at the foot of the cliff lay both men, dead. The minister raised both hands to heaven over the dead Indian’s body, repeating reverently the words “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.”
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 19 August 1911, page ?] The hero of this picture is a “lunger,” an Easterner who has come to the West for his health. The villain of the picture early shows his quality. Red Cloud is an Indian, starving though his limbs and face seem very well nourished. This Indian is fed by the hero, but the villain comes and knocks the bread out of his mouth and the hero, now grown well and strong, gives him a drubbing which the heroine is there to see. There are no guns used or seen in this picture. The climax, a fight for the gold mine that Red Cloud discloses to the hero, is not very convincing; it is too plainly “nursed.” This fight is cumulative; first the Indian fights with the villain, then the heroine comes and takes a hand. She sends the horse with a message in his bridle for the hero. The horse shies at the camera, but reaches the hero who soon appears on the scene of the fight. He and the villain fight for the mine like chimpanzees and, in a lull, the Indian throws the villain over the cliff and goes over with him, ending the contest. The final scene showing the result of this fall to the rocky stream below is very ugly. One wonders why this picture was produced or whether it will pay ever in money.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 24 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 230 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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