The Derelict (1912)
John Storm, a young minister, is desperately in love with Marion Truesdale, one of his parishioners. Soon after their betrothal, Sir Arthur Norworth, a wealthy English aristocrat, pays desperate court to her. His wealth and position attract her, and unknown to Storm, she agrees to go to England and become Lady Norworth. So it happens that when the wedding day arrives, Marion does not appear. Storm receives a telegram from Marion stating she has sailed with Norworth. He is shaken with grief and agony. We see him five years later in a town in the southwest, brought to the lowest level; a human derelict. He becomes a hanger-on to a mine owner, whom he has saved from a gang of men, and puts in his time brooding and drinking. One day, Burton, the mine owner receives a letter from his sister that Sir Arthur Norworth is dead, and she is bringing his widow out for a vacation. Burton loses the letter and Storm finds and reads it. The realization that Marion is coming is too much for him. Convicting emotions of love and revenge stir within him. They arrive! Burton is very solicitous and gallant, while Storm keeps out of sight. Burton does his best within the next few days to win favor with her, but she perceives his true motive and avoids him. He takes advantage of his sister's absence one night to make violent love to her, but she repulses him. He persists and insults her, threatening to speak of her compromising position, unless she marries him. He then calls in Storm, and for the first time in many years, Marion faces him. She pleads with him to save her honor, until he throws down the Bible and with a sob leaves the room. For a moment Marion is triumphant, but Burton is enraged and he seizes her. Her hand grasps a knife that Storm has left in the room, and she strikes him to the floor. Outside, Storm hears the screams, hurries in and sees the murdered man. He realizes Marion's peril. She is in hysteria, and when the servants come on the scene they find Storm kneeling over the dead body. To them Storm shields Marion by confessing to the crime. He is taken away. The closing scene shows Marion in the garb of a Sister of Charity.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Mark M. Dintenfass | Producer |
