The Danites (1912)
Part One: The Williams family are en route west, when they are overtaken by the Danites and all are killed but Nancy Williams and her little brother, Georgie. They eventually are picked up by another emigrant train and allowed to go on with them. The Danites return to their chief, where they report all but two are killed and receive orders to pick up their trail and never leave it until they, too, are killed. They proceed on their quest and incidentally join the emigrant train of which Nancy and Georgie are members. Stopping for the night, the "Danites," Hickman and Carter, recognize little Georgie, and seeing their chance, kill him and ride away. Nancy gets her gun and starts after them. Nancy, being unable to find the murderers, returns to the camp and finds it deserted, except for the grave of little Georgie. From the top of a hill she sees a hunter's cabin, and an idea comes to her and she makes her way to it. Entering, she cuts her hair and takes a suit of the hunter's son's clothes and, changing, is always known as Billy Piper. Part Two: Billy Piper, a new arrival, inquires of Parson, the town drunkard, where he can lodge, and has just received his answer when Limber Tim arrives with news of the arrival of a new teacher. All the men prepare a welcome for "him" when they are taken off their feet by the entrance of a young woman, who is subsequently dubbed the "widow." Billy Piper is overjoyed at seeing one of her own kind, and these two become good friends. The men, too, have fallen victims and despite their sudden revolution as to looks and presents, maintains a laughing mien, and still favors Billy. Hickman and Carter, men of the Danite clan, suspect Billy Piper of being the woman they are seeking and follow her as she leaves to visit the "widow." The Danites arrive at the cottage and look in the window where the "widow" and Billy are talking. Billy sees them and faints. He is resuscitated by the "widow "" who discovers his sex, but promises to keep his secret. A year elapses. Sandy and the "widow," married, are receiving congratulations from their friends upon the arrival of an heir. The Danites, however, still sure that Billy is Nancy Williams, resolve to be convinced, and as Billy spends nearly all his time at the widow's, write a note to her husband, Sandy, warning him to "keep an eye on Billy." On one of his visits the widow pleads with Billy to reveal his identity, but he refuses, and Sandy, coming in at that moment, accuses the widow of duplicity and orders Billy to leave the house. In the meantime, the Danites start off for Billy's home, only to find it empty. They go on to the widow's, where Billy is and Sandy enters. Billy pleads with him to save him, vowing his innocence, and Sandy agrees to. The men, bent on vengeance, crowd in and are met by Sandy's revolver. He orders them to stand aside for Billy to pass. Billy starts away, but sees the Danites, who have pushed forward. A heart attack seizes her and she falls dead in Sandy's arms. Then it is that her identity is revealed, that Nancy Williams drops the name forever of Billy Piper. The Danites, with a triumphant look at each other, quietly leave, their mission entirely fulfilled.
All Releases
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 |
|---|---|
| Francis Boggs | Director |
| Joaquin Miller | Writer |
| McKee Rankin | Writer |
| William Nicholas Selig | Producer |
| Bob Brothinton | Cinematographer |
| Harry W. Gerstad | Cinematographer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Hobart Bosworth | |
| Betty Harte | |
| George Hernandez | |
| Tom Santschi |
