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The Lure of the City
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 945 feet
Directed by Thomas Ricketts (Tom Ricketts)
Cast: (unknown)
American Film Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Motion Picture Distributing & Sales Company. / Scenario by Allan Dwan. / Released 17 November 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film’s release was delayed from its announced 5 November 1910 date.
Drama.
Synopsis: [The Nickelodeon, 1 November 1910, page ?] An old man, weary of the city’s strife and disappointments, has betaken himself with his boy to the mountain fastness, from which heights he can scan the world below and still remain unseen and unknown. His books he has taken and some small means. There alone, with none to distract, he breathes the peace begot by seclusion. With patient care he moulds the mind and character of his son as he grows into manhood. Contentment reigns supreme in the mountain home. The boy, a giant of muscle and mind, is free and content, dreaming of naught beyond his little world, the well of his affections filled with the love of his father. What is it that one day suddenly attracts and absorbs his interest? In the far distance, away across the valley below, a city has been rising, until now the tall chimneys with their black smoke can be plainly seen through the early morning light. As we find him upon this day, he holds in his hand a book; he reads intently and then, with yearning gaze, his eyes look toward the distant city. Anon he reads upon the page: ‘The city is a place for strong men, for there a man must do a man’s work.’ He rises and, expanding himself in his strength, he repeats what he has just read. With hasty steps he is soon before the venerable father. When the father hears the boy’s desire to go to the city, he is sorrowful, warns him of its strife and its pitfalls, and counsels him not to go. The boy is determined. He leaves with his father’s blessing, a small bag of gold, and prayers for his safety and return. He enters the city in course of time and the many strange spectacles that assail him reveal a new world. The first is a drunken creature; he staggers and falls helpless in the gutter. Our hero runs with human impulse to succor a brother. A lazy policeman approaches, throws the boy aside, and without a word drags the creature off to jail. In wonder at all he sees, he reaches a factory. He applies for work. The men treat him roughly, laugh at his grotesque appearance, jeer at him, and are driving him off, when the owner arrives with his daughter, who, struck with the wild and rugged child of nature, saves him from the crowd. He is put to work. Then follows a series of rows and riots because of this outsider coming and doing three men’s work. The crisis comes in a general strike instigated by a bully of a foreman who had aspired to the hand of the owner’s daughter. They demand to see the boy’s ‘Union Card.’ In the fight that follows, the owner expires from the excitement and shock. The girl is left an orphan. Some weeks later the inevitable has happened. The girl and the mountain boy are in love. The bully foreman has constantly nursed his wrath until finally, unable longer to contain it, he plots to assassinate the intruder. The girl, overhearing the scheme, warns her lover and admonishes him to fly. He refuses to go unless she accompany him. In a spirit of self-sacrifice, she consents to go and together they flee into the foothills, followed by an angry and blood-thirsty mob. By a ruse, the mob is outwitted and the lovers escape. The mountain boy takes the girl to his father’s home, and when the old man learns that the girl has saved the boy’s life, he receives her with open arms. Some days have passed and the mountain boy is waiting for the girl to suggest her return to the city. Finally, unable to hold back his love, he asks her if he shall escort her back home. She turns to him and answers, ‘No, your world is my world. Your home is my home. We will stay here together on the heights always.’ Love has conquered and love and peace again reign in the mountain home.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 3 December 1910, page ?] Here is told a dramatic story which goes to the heart of everyone who sees it. Perhaps everyone has felt the lure of the city, but not many have also felt the peace and inspiration of the seclusion of the mountains. The young mountaineer typifies the strong manhood that is constantly going to the city from the country. While they do not cause riots, it will probably be admitted that their vigor does exert a tendency towards such an upset of established conditions that they are not altogether welcome. It is natural, too, that the city girl should fall in love with the country man. The picture presents no improbability in that direction. Whether the flight to the country and their decision to remain there is as strong an ending as it would be to see them go back and conquer the turbulent spirits together, may be an open question. There is something soothing in the thought that henceforth they are done with strife. On the other hand, some will feel that the picture would have gained to have seen these two strong characters return to the scene of disorder and force the disturbing elements to be quiet. It is sweet to rest in peace. It is noble to fight a battle for the right; and whether the fight be won or lost, the one who makes the attempt is entitled to whatever honors may be bestowed. It doesn’t seem exactly right to see this strong man running to the hills for shelter because a mob, like curs, is snapping at his heels. It would be more exciting and supply a stronger climax to see him turn upon them and by sheer force of dominant will cow them into submission.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 7 August 2023.
References: Lyons-American p. 217 : Website-AFI.
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