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HISTORY

According to the 7 December 1918 Moving Picture World, "The picture was made in Southern California and out on the Mohave desert. David Smith directed the feature and obtained many striking scenes. He crossed the California-Arizona line and invaded Death Valley in search of true Bret Harte atmosphere."
       Var erroneously credits Jack Williams with the role of Ira Beasley.
       The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021. ...

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According to the 7 December 1918 Moving Picture World, "The picture was made in Southern California and out on the Mohave desert. David Smith directed the feature and obtained many striking scenes. He crossed the California-Arizona line and invaded Death Valley in search of true Bret Harte atmosphere."
       Var erroneously credits Jack Williams with the role of Ira Beasley.
       The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Exhibitors Trade Review
30 Nov 1918
p. 2020
Exhibitors Trade Review
7 Dec 1918
p. 69
Motion Picture News
7 Dec 1918
p. 3424
Motion Picture News
7 Sep 1918
pp. 1464-65
Moving Picture World
23 Nov 1918
p. 860
Moving Picture World
7 Dec 1918
p. 1101
Moving Picture World
14 Dec 1918
pp. 1247-48
NYDM
21 Dec 1918
p. 919
Variety
29 Nov 1918
p. 41
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTOR
PRODUCER
WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on the short story "The Judgment of Bolinas Plain" by Bret Harte in his Tales of Trail and Town (New York, 1893) and the play Sue by Bret Harte and T. E. Pemberton (New York, 16 Sep 1896).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHOR
DETAILS
Release Date:
2 December 1918
Production Date:

Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Vitagraph Co. of America
23 November 1918
LP13072
Physical Properties:
Silent
Black and White
Length(in reels):
5
Country:
United States
SYNOPSIS

When Silas Prescott's wife dies on the journey out West, he sells his daughter Sue into marriage with local rancher Ira Beasley. Their life together is loveless and lonely until the circus comes to town. Sue is fascinated by wild-tempered acrobat Jim Wynd, and when he takes refuge in her barn after shooting a man in a gambling brawl, she takes care of him. The two are about to elope when the sheriff arrives. Jim tries to abduct Sue and escape but shoots the sheriff and is arrested. He finally is punished for his misdeeds, while Sue and Ira, having learned to love each other, begin a new life ...

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When Silas Prescott's wife dies on the journey out West, he sells his daughter Sue into marriage with local rancher Ira Beasley. Their life together is loveless and lonely until the circus comes to town. Sue is fascinated by wild-tempered acrobat Jim Wynd, and when he takes refuge in her barn after shooting a man in a gambling brawl, she takes care of him. The two are about to elope when the sheriff arrives. Jim tries to abduct Sue and escape but shoots the sheriff and is arrested. He finally is punished for his misdeeds, while Sue and Ira, having learned to love each other, begin a new life together.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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The American Film Institute is grateful to Sir Paul Getty KBE and the Sir Paul Getty KBE Estate for their dedication to the art of the moving image and their support for the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and without whose support AFI would not have been able to achieve this historical landmark in this epic scholarly endeavor.