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The Dumb Bandit
(1916) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Francis Ford
Cast: Francis Ford [the sheepherder / the dumb bandit], Edna Maison [the sheepherder’s wife], [?] Grace Cunard?
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Rex]. / Scenario by Grace Cunard. / Released 9 March 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Far away in the wilderness nestles the sheepherder’s cabin. Due to the depredations of wolves and other prowlers the herder is kept on the go all the time to preserve his flock. As a consequence of his absence all day, and sometimes far into the night, his wife is much alone. The wife wishes for someone to break the monotony of her loneliness, and so one day when a masked man comes into the house, she is more pleased than scared. The man tells her by means of a note that he is dumb. The wife is glad of company, even though it comes dumb and masked and the two have a pleasant visit. After dark comes, the man leaves, after promising to call again next day. The herder had previously noted the effects of loneliness upon his wife and notes that she is particularly happy that night. The next day the wife and her strange caller spend another happy day and as time passes the two become very friendly. Each night as the bandit leaves, he kisses the girl good-bye, and the husband notices her growing animation. At last one day the husband returns unexpectedly earlier than has been his custom. The wife sees the dog coming over the hill and his fear hurtles the dumb bandit into an adjoining room. So great is her haste that she fails to see the bandit’s hat is still on the table. A few minutes later, the herder comes in. The wife, nervous and confused, tries to regain her composure. The husband notices the hat on the table and accuses his wife of having a lover in the house. The husband starts to the door of the other room. The wife bars his way and they have a scuffle, the wife being thrown aside. The husband enters the room. A few minutes later the wife sees the bandit, and going to him, pleads with him to hurry away, but the bandit pulls his gun, tells the wife in dumb he is going to kill her husband. This threat brings the wife to her senses and she begs for her husband’s life, pleading that she still loves him. She tells the bandit she hates him, and springing on him, tries to wrest the gun from him. In the struggle the mask is torn from the bandit’s face and the wife sees the face of her husband, who has been trying her love. She begs forgiveness and the husband takes her into his arms, promising that he will never leave her alone so long again.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Deaf persons - Masks - Weapons: Guns
Listing updated: 25 December 2024.
References: Schuchman-Hollywood pp. 30, 109 : ClasIm-224 p. 43 : Website-IMDb.
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