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Right or Wrong
(1911) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel
Directed by [?] Robert Goodman and/or Gaston Méliès?
Cast: Francis Ford [Dick Dresler], William Clifford [Tom Newhouse]
Méliès Star-Film [American] production; distributed by [?] The General Film Company, Incorporated? / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 2 November 1911; in a split-reel with Mexican As It is Spoken (1911). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
[?] Drama?
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Dick Dresler is one of the most faithful guardsmen of the Union line; one who hates a Confederate soldier like sin, and who swears to show no mercy on any rebel who crosses the line. Tom Newhouse, a Confederate, gets news of his mother’s approaching death and hastens to her side, having to steal his way through the Union line, Dick is on guard and discovers the footsteps, which he trails to Tom’s home. He rushes into the house with raised gun and orders everyone to surrender, but is taken suddenly aback at the scene before him, a son’s sorrowful farewell to his dying mother. He slowly lowers his gun, realizing the meaning and the sacredness of Tom’s visit. Dick himself has a mother, and in a moment of fond memory, disregards the rules of war and allows Tom’s freedom. For many a day his conscience asked him the question that he concluded only the Great Judge could answer: did he do Right, or Wrong? // [From Méliès promotional materials] A Confederate soldier receives news of his mother’s critical illness, but to reach her side has to steal through the opposing force’s line. A Union soldier spies him, trails him to the house and rushes in to make the arrest, but is pitied by the scene he interrupts — the last embrace of mother and son. He hesitates whether to obey his conscience, which prompts him to free the Confederate, or his duty, which calls upon him to arrest the man, One has to see this picture to judge if his final course of action be Right, ro Wrong.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 8 October 2023.
References: Thompson-Star p. 230 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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