The Thirst for Gold (1912)
John Brown leaves his home in the east to seek his fortune in the gold mines of the far west. For fifteen years he struggles against fate; the riches he has sought so long and arduously, does not come to him. After this, his last desperate effort, he has decided that if still unsuccessful, he will return to his eastern home. He fails to find the precious metal and his provisions being out and his supply of water almost gone, he breaks camp and starts across the desert to the nearest settlement. He loses his way and for several days wanders aimlessly. In the distance he sees a figure approaching. When they meet he discovers it is a young man, a prospector like himself, without pack or water bottle, also that he is out of his head, presumably from thirst. He seizes John's water bag and there is a terrific struggle. He is finally overpowered. The stranger offers nuggets from a rich strike he has just made, for a drink of water. John refuses for there is only a few drops of the liquid remaining. The young man pleads for his mother's sake, and John is again about to refuse, when he sees a vision of his own mother as he last saw her fifteen years ago, and he tenders his bottle. Together they start out on the long journey through the desert. They are suffering greatly and are almost exhausted when far away John sees a railroad train. Knowing there must be water in that direction they strain every effort to reach the distant spot. The stranger is exhausted and John almost so from carrying him. At last the goal is reached, here is a water tank. John pulls the rope releasing the water, and both men fall into it. The younger man thinking he will die gives John a paper showing the location of the mine, which he was crossing the desert to have filed, and offers it to him, if he will promise to take care of his mother, a photograph of whom he also shows to John. In this pictured face, to his intense amazement, he recognizes his own mother. And the young prospector is his brother, Walter, whom he left at home a small boy. The shock of finding a brother revives Walter, and they then make their way to town and file the claim. Then home to mother and luxury.
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Domestic
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International
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Worldwide
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Edward LeSaint | Director |
| Harry A. Pollard | Writer |
| Carl Laemmle | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Harry A. Pollard | |
| Eddie Lyons | |
| Louise Crolius | |
| Ben Horning |
