The Head of the Family (1916)
Hugh Van Schuyler, a wealthy man, realizes that Ruth, his wife, cares little for her home life. Ruth, elegantly gowned, appears and tells her husband that she is going to the Galesworthy dance. Charley Martinex is ushered in and Ruth leaves with him. On her return home at 3 A.M. Ruth is reminded that she has not spent an evening home in a month. Losing her temper, she asks Hugh why he thinks she married him, if not for money and social position. Hugh makes no answer and she retires for the night. The next morning, however, he announces abruptly, "We are leaving town today. Pack some heavy clothes and be ready at 4 o'clock this afternoon." Ruth protests that she will do nothing of the sort. Finally Ruth tries tears, when Hugh turns on her with great severity and says: "Do you intend to do as I bid you or not?" Later we see a queer group of travelers coming down the trail of a wild and rugged country. As they come nearer we recognize Hugh and Ruth, accompanied by a guide, who is leading a pack mule. In due time they arrive at a camping place, where money and social position count for little. Ruth sits down in anger and despair. The guide unloads the pack mule and carries their luggage into a rough shack, provided with a single bunk. Hugh dismisses the guide after paying him, and Ruth follows her husband as he ushers her into the shack. He tells her that he brought her there to make her love him. That night Ruth sleeps in the bunk, while Hugh makes himself as comfortable as possible on the floor. Suddenly Ruth hears the howl of a wolf. She creeps out to Hugh, who is fast asleep on the floor, but hesitates about waking him, until another howl from the wolf makes her fully realize her dependence on him. Hugh kills the wolf at the first shot. Six months later we see Ruth standing on a high crag, apparently enjoying her life in the open. Shortly afterwards she enters the shack with her arms full of ferns and is arranging them around the room when her husband enters. Hugh lays aside his gun and begins to busy himself at the fire. Ruth takes the frying pan away from him and insists on doing the cooking herself. The next day the old guide comes down the trail to take Hugh and his wife back to civilization. Ruth runs into the shack and begins to pack. On meeting Hugh outside she is astonished to find that he has no intention of accompanying her, as he holds out his hand and bids her good-bye. His masterfulness has conquered her, and won her heart as well. She returns to the shack and when he enters she tells him that she wants to live in the shack with him. In a moment they are in each other's arms.
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Domestic
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Worldwide
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Ben F. Wilson | Director |
| William Addison Lathrop | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Ben F. Wilson | |
| Edna Hunter | |
| Charles Ogle |
