The Mountaineer's Honor

1909 Drama 11 minutes Directed by D.W. Griffith

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About The Mountaineer's Honor

In the Kentucky hills, Harum-Scarum, a mountain girl, is seduced by a traveler from the valley. Her brother tracks the man and kills him. The sheriff takes the brother and is ready to hang him. Their mother shoots her son so he will not die on a rope.

Cast & crew

More about The Mountaineer's Honor

D. W. Griffith directed and wrote the scenario with Frank E. Woods. G. W. Bitzer photographed. Shot in October 1909 on location at Cuddebackville, New York, and at the Biograph studio. Released 25 November 1909. Copyright 26 November 1909, J135135. One reel, 977 feet. Wikidata duration is 11 minutes.

Themes

Making

Biograph sent the company to Cuddebackville for the mountain exteriors in October 1909.

Reviews

Moving Picture World of 4 December 1909 said Biograph had staged a mountaineer code of honor graphically, called the drama strong, and said the photography was clear and the action smooth.

Look

G. W. Bitzer photographed the Cuddebackville locations and the studio scenes.

Preservation

Extant. AFI says it is commercially available. A copy is on Wikimedia Commons.

Notes

  • Mary Pickford plays Harum-Scarum. Owen Moore plays her suitor. James Kirkwood plays her brother. Kate Bruce plays her mother. George Nichols plays her father. Arthur V. Johnson plays the traveler.
  • Anthony O'Sullivan plays the sheriff. Frank Evans and Mack Sennett are in the posse.
  • AFI lists the subjects as family honor, hanging, Kentucky, mountain life, murder, and revenge.
  • Moving Picture World of 4 December 1909 reviewed it.
  • A file is on Wikimedia Commons.

Scenes

  • The brother kills the traveler from the valley.
  • The mother shoots her son as the sheriff prepares to hang him.

Also available

  • Wikimedia Commons (The Mountaineer's Honor (1909).webm)

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