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A Frontier Wife
(1913) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Francis Ford
Cast: Robert Stanton [Doctor Coles], Rhea Mitchell [Mrs. Coles], Francis Ford [Ford, the gamekeeper], Milt Brown (Milton Brown), Grace Cunard, Ethel Grandin, Joe King
New York Motion Picture Company production; distributed by Mutual Film Corporation [Broncho]. / Produced by Thomas H. Ince. / Released 21 March 1913. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Dr. Coles loses all his money at the gambling table, and in a spirit of despondency contemplates suicide. Ford, the gamekeeper, stops him, and gives him back his money, making him promise never to gamble again. In a spirit of gratitude. Coles invites Ford to his home, where he meets Coles’ wife. Mrs. Coles is attracted by the gambler, and he is evidently infatuated. Some days later the doctor is called to the bedside of a very sick child, and Mrs. Coles waits for him at the gate. Ford coming from his gaming house sees her and walks to her home. The inevitable happens, for he suddenly clasps her in his arms and kisses her. Intoxicated for the moment she does not resist, and the doctor coming home at that moment sees through the window the tableau of his wife nestling in the arms of Ford. Coles storms into the house and orders the gambler away. Crestfallen, Ford leaves. Coles then tells his wife to follow Ford, and she attempts to take the baby, Dolly, with her, but Coles stops her. Outside Ford is waiting for her, and he finally persuades her to go with him. Six years later Mrs. Coles has paid the penalty. Ford has become a drunkard, and has slid down the ladder of life. She remonstrates with him one day, and he attempts to strike her but is prevented by one of his friends, but he tells her that he is tired of her and turns her out. Penniless, homeless and friendless, she wanders out in the street. Passing a saloon she is struck by a bullet fired from inside, where a terrific fight is taking place. She is carried to a house and laid on » bed, while a cowboy runs for Doctor Coles. Little Dolly has been taken very ill, and Dr. Coles is anxiously watching at her bedside when the call comes, and it is with grave misgivings that he permits himself to be led away by duty’s demands. When he reaches the injured woman and recognizes her he starts back in amazement, and picks up his hat to depart without attending to her but a cowboy forces him back at the point of a gun. With skillful hands he extracts the bullet and binds the wound, and the pathetic plight of his wife touches his heart. Impulsively he kisses her, and at the touch of her lips a wave of tenderness sweeps over him. When he reaches home he finds that his little girl has passed away, and he is broken-hearted. He breaks the news to his wife, and their mutual grief bridges the chasm which has yawned between them.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 5 April 2020.
References: ClasIm-224 p. 42 : Website-IMDb.
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