The Broken Word (1915)
Jack Clayton and Tom Hennesy have been at loggerheads for some time, when one day Hennesy confronts Jack in front of his home, and a violent quarrel ensues, during which Jack kills his enemy. As the shot is fired, Bob, Jack's brother runs up and takes in the whole situation, just as Jack's wife comes to the door of the house. For his brother's sake, Bob tells the sheriff that he has killed Hennesy, and is led off to the jail. That night Jack rides to the jail, which is a typical southwestern "calaboose" with no jailer, and sets his brother at liberty. A day later, at the edge of the desert, Bob's horse falls under him, ridden to death. For hours, Bob shambles on alone, his throat parched for want of a drink. Coming to a spring, he finds it dried up, and then he abandons hope, sinking to the ground in a semi-unconscious state. Here he is found by Steve Dixon, a prospector, who gives him water and food and offers to help him. Months later, we find them mining partners at Malpais, on the Mexican border. Here they both meet Molly Pearson, the new teacher at the village school. Both men fall in love with her, but Bob is the favored one, although she is very friendly with Steve. Steve, however, has a habit of showing a great deal of attention to the women who frequent the dance hall in the mining town. At last Steve sees Bob talking to Molly in such a way that no doubt is left in Steve's mind as to Molly's regard for Bob. He confronts Bob and declares that since he has saved his life when dying from thirst on the desert, Bob should now remember his debt to him and give him a chance to win Molly's love. Bob, by no means ungrateful, tells Steve that if he will promise to leave the women of the dance hall alone thereafter he, Bob, will go away and leave him a clear field with Molly. Steve gives Bob his word that he will do as the latter suggests. Bob leaves the camp without even saying good-bye to Molly, and goes to a neighboring valley, where he starts in prospecting. A poor Mexican woman of the camp, who has been protected by Bob when attacked by a drunken Mexican, comes to him while he is at work, and tells him that, almost from the hour of his going away Steve has been at his old tricks of flirting with the dance hall women. Bob returns to the camp and confronts Steve in the saloon, where he is drinking with a woman. He accuses him of having broken his word, and tells him that he is going to marry Molly at once. He hurries away to Molly's house and wins the promise that she is only too willing to give. They ride off together, but in Bob's ears keeps singing the threat made by Steve as Bob left the dance hall; that he will bring the sheriff of the adjoining county to arrest him for the murder to which he has confessed. The story ends with a wild ride for the Mexican border, with Bob and Molly only a little in the lead. They cross the line, however, and head straight for a village where there is a little Spanish church. As their pursuers, headed by Steve and the sheriff, arrive at the boundary line, Bob and his bride-to-be are entering the church, while the sheriff, whose authority ceases where United States territory ends, is forced to turn back with the disgruntled Steve.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Frank McGlynn Sr. | Director |
| W. Carey Wonderly | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Ben Turbett | |
| Nellie Grant | |
| Herbert Prior | |
| Yale Benner |
