The Way of the West (1910)
Bess Allen does not know whether she loves Ben Crosby or Joe Darnton, and when they call and propose to her at the same time, she laughingly refuses both of them. The rest of the cowboys, led by Bess's father, give the boys the laugh, and to conceal their mortification, Joe asks Ben and the crowd to adjourn to the bar and wash down their disappointment. Ben returns when he deems it opportune and renewing his offer of proposal to Bess follows it up with impetuous zeal. He will not take no for an answer, but seizes her and kisses her passionately. The girl struggles ineffectually and indignantly strikes him across the mouth. Regaining the mastery of his feelings he humbly accepts his dismissal and takes his leave, unconsciously clasping in his hand a strand of ribbon which he has torn from her throat in the embrace. Returning to the saloon he is charged by Joe of having taken undue advantage by sneaking off to renew his suit. A word test ensues which results in a fistic brawl. Thinking he had killed Joe, Ben decamps to the wigwam of friendly Indians, where he remains in hiding. Bess's father, incensed over the fight about his daughter, informs her of it. Having become aware of the reality that with the blow she had struck Ben, she had actually loved him, Bess now repairs to the saloon filled with alarm. Instead of finding Joe dead, she is confronted with fresh accusations from all the cowboys including Joe, and with disgust, and outraged pride she returns home. In a spirit of revenge Joe entices her to a shack with a decoy note purporting to come from Ben and then compels her to fight for her honor, which she indeed does as only honest, hardy women of the west can. However, she is no match for the man, and at the crucial moment smashes the window with a keg and leaps from the second story into the arms of Ben Crosby, the man she loves. Ben has been warned of the machinations against her by his Indian friend who scented mischief brewing and brought him to the rescue. Fearing the result of his deed and having truly repented, Joe comes out of the shack to give himself up expecting to find Bess dead from the fall, but when he is apprised of the true situation, he humbly begs pardon of both her and Ben which is granted by them, for these big-hearted folk of the west do not harbor a grudge no matter how severe the provocation. Bess's father and the cowboys arrive also and escort the young pair home amid the cheers and firing of guns, and poor, repentant Joe joins them with tears of happiness because of being forgiven by all.
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Domestic
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Worldwide
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GenresShort
Western
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Mark M. Dintenfass | Producer |
