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Man and His Master
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by Travers Vale
Cast: Jack Drumier [the selfish factory owner], Louise Vale [the factory owner’s daughter], Franklin Ritchie [the factory foreman], Mary Malatesta [an Italian immigrant], Victor Rottman (Victor Rodman) [an Italian immigrant]
Biograph Company production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Released 8 June 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? The selfish factory owner really believes himself made of a different clay from that of which his workmen are fashioned. His young daughter, however, does not share his ideas, and does everything in her power to alleviate the misery of the poor. They call her, in gratitude, the angel of the tenements. Although she knows her father to be stern and unyielding, she does not realize how deeply he despises the working classes until she and her lover, the factory foreman, announce their betrothal. Then he reveals his false pride, as he declares that his daughter shall not marry a man who has risen from the ranks. The discontentment of the employees with their wages comes to a head, and they demand satisfaction. The foreman acts as intermediary, and is coldly received by the master. “If they are not satisfied, let them get out,” is the ultimatum. The men go out on strike, and the factory is shut down and guarded by the police. A month passes, and the master reads with increasing satisfaction of the misery that has fallen upon the strikers. The foreman appeals to him in vain for a conference with the men. The master decides to bring still greater pressure to bear upon the malcontents, and writes his lawyers, making an appointment for a conference, at which they will discuss the raising of rents throughout the tenements. Going to keep his appointment, the master is stricken by apoplexy and falls in a lonely street, A young Italian, who has been working in the factory until the shutdown, comes out of the tenements to gather wood for a fire, the night being cold. He finds the master lying helpless in the street, and with great difficulty takes him home, where his young wife does what she can for the sufferer. His daughter, discovering that he has not returned home, appeals to her lover. The Italian comes running up with his news. The workmen follow the foreman and the girl to the tenements, where they threaten to take their revenge upon the now helpless master; but the girl appeals to their better natures, and they assist in getting the master home. Here, after a long illness, he recovers. He is a changed man. On his first interview with the foreman, he says humbly, “My Master has taught me the true mastery of men.” He shows his gratitude to the Italian, and gives his blessing to the marriage.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 12 December 2024.
References: Spehr-American p. 2 : Website-IMDb.
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