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William Clifford (foreground).
Photograph: Silent Era image collection.
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A Man Worth While
Also known as {A Man Worthwhile}
(1912) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Gaston Méliès and/or Robert Goodman?
Cast: Fanny Midgley [Anne Worth], William Clifford [John Scott], Henry Stanley [Scott Fletcher, the ranch owner], Mildred Bracken [the ranch owner’s daughter]
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 4 April 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [From Méliès promotional material] Coming into a large estate, Ann Worth is so besieged by fortune seekers that she decides to go west in search of a Man Worth While. To disguise her purpose, she takes a position as governess to a ranch owner’s daughter, and in this capacity meets Scott, a neighboring woodman, who proves his worthiness at a most unexpected but needful moment by saving her’s and others’ lives at the risk of his own. Ann accepts his proposal, and not until after the marriage does Scott learn that his wife has “stooped to conquer.” // [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Anne Worth inherits the entire large fortune of her uncle, and decides to take a trip west. At a western hotel the heiress becomes bored by resort life, and becomes heartily sick of fortune seekers who have learned of her large bank roll and would marry it. But, not averse to marriage she devises a novel plan to find a man worthwhile. Advertising for a position as governess she obtains employment in the Fletcher home on a ranch. One of her daily duties is to accompany Doris Fletcher horseback riding, and on many occasions they have taken particular notice of John Scott, a woodman, whose gallantry appealed to them. After exchanging the usual pleasantries with him one morning the girls ride on, only to be attacked by highwaymen. Doris is overcome while Ann shouts for help. John comes and the highwaymen flee. He carries Doris into his humble cottage and administers what aid he can. Meanwhile some of the cowboys have heard the cry and question Anne. She tells of the attack, and they hasten in the direction the bandits took. John knowing well what they meant to do, hastens after them and arrives in time to prevent the mob from taking the law into its own hands by lynching the culprits. He holds the mob at bay with his revolver until the arrival of the sheriff and his men. Ann hears and knows that here at last is a man worthwhile. A month later John has learned to love and propose to Anne. After the marriage he takes her to his little cabin expecting to enjoy the rest of his days there, but Anne tells of her great wealth and of her search for a man worthwhile, that led her to deceive in order to win, to “stoop to conquer.”
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 28 July 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 231 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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