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His Terrible Lesson
(1911) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Robert Goodman?
Cast: [?] Francis Ford?
Méliès Star-Film [American] production. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 10 August 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Frank Smith was but a boy, yet withal the sole supporter of a pretty sister, Mary, who kept up their little western home and made things comfortable for them both. But Frank had fallen into a bad habit, that of drink, not because he liked it, but because he thought it looked manly. On one occasion he went to the village saloon and engaged in a game of poker with Push Crystal, a heavy drinker. A little quarrel resulted, during which Frank drew his knife. The bartender, however, stayed his hand and pointed out the folly of such rash action. Frank and Push were reconciled and proceeded to drink to each other’s health until both became stupefied and laid their heads on the table, dead to the world. Bill Hawkins entered and saw a chance for revenge on his hated enemy, Push. He took Frank’s knife from the table, and, when no one looked, plunged it into the breast of Push, after which he fled, stopping only to place the knife in Frank’s hand to divert suspicion. When the bartender reentered the room he was horrified. Push lay dead, and a bloody knife was clenched by Frank. With difficulty he awakened the boy, who could not at first realize the situation. Suddenly it dawned upon him that he had, in a drunken stupor, committed murder. In desperation, he knocked the bartender aside and hastened home. Mary listened to his story and advised him to flee across the border line. Frank mounted and galloped to Old Mexico, where he gained refuge with a Mexican Padre. But soon the longing came to see his home and his sister. Against the advice of the Padre, he took the chance. Once in Texas, he was soon seen, and a posse was formed to capture him. He evaded it as long as possible by horse and then by foot until suddenly in his flight he fell across the prostrate body of Bill Hawkins. The latter had become conscience stricken at the grave of Push and fallen over a brink, receiving mortal injuries. When he saw Frank, he was at last inspired with a good impulse, and confessed his crime. The posse arrived at this moment and heard the exoneration of Frank. Frank returned to Mary a better and stronger boy, for he had experienced a terrible lesson.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 23 October 2022.
References: Thompson-Star p. 230 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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