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The Return of Ta-Wa-Wa
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 950 feet
Directed by William F. Haddock
Cast: Francis Ford [Ta-Wa-Wa], Edith Storey [Kawista], William Clifford [Lord Wyndham], Anne Nichols [Rose Leigh], Henry Stanley [Colonel Leigh, Rose’s father]
G. Méliès production; distributed [?] on State Rights basis? by G. Méliès. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. Cinematography by William Paley. / Released 11 August 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 20 August 1910, page ?] After graduating from an Indian school where he has acquired an education and schooling in the ways of the white man. Ta-wa-wa, a young Indian, returns to his native territory and far western home. On the way to the tribe’s encampment he stops at Vail’s ranch, meets Kawista, his boyhood sweetheart, who greets him cordially and with a frank admiration for his gentlemanly appearance. While they are exchanging greetings the postman enters and hands a letter to Mr. Vail from Col. Leigh, an Englishman, stating that he will visit the ranch with Lord Wyndham, an English lord who expresses a desire to see a real Indian powwow. He hopes Mr. Vail can arrange to have one “pulled off” for his especial benefit. Ta-wa-wa promises to help matters along, and when he reaches the Indian encampment of his tribe he arrays himself in an Indian blanket and returns to the ranch with Kawista to meet Col. Leigh and his English friend, Lord Wyndham. Col. Leigh with his niece. Rose Leigh, and Lord Wyndham arrive. As Kawista passes by Lord Wyndham is very much attracted by her: Ta-wa-wa is attracted to Rose Leigh and she seems to reciprocate his feelings. Kawista notes their glances, is suspicious and keeps her eyes open for developments, which appear when Ta-wa-wa is teaching Rose Leigh to ride and when Rose gives him her photograph which he carries in the bosom of his shirt. Kawista tries to dispel Ta-wa-wa’s infatuation for Rose, but her efforts are fruitless. Col. Leigh receives a letter which calls him back to England and Rose goes with him. Ta-wa-wa decides to follow her, and after he has gone Kawista, with the help of Nellie Vail, the ranchman’s daughter, follows Ta-wa-wa to England. Ta-wa-wa reaches England to find Rose and Lord Wyndham just leaving the church where they have been married. He is spellbound and his mind gives way under the shock and disappointment. He is seized by an officer, who is about to take him to the police station, when Kawista puts in an appearance and begs his release, promising to look after him. She takes him back to America and to his home, where she restores his reason and wins back the love of their childhood days and the true love that never dies.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 27 August 1910, page ?] An Indian story of unusual interest, embodying a story which has its basis deep in the folk lore of some of the tribes. The interest is maintained by the exceptional care with which Indian life and character is reproduced. The scenery is very elaborate, too, representing several attractive transformations. A description would fail to convey any impression of the scenery and the careful way in which it has been handled.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Britains - Native Americans
Listing updated: 24 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star pp. 35, 115-117, 228 : ClasIm-226 p. 54 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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