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Value Received
(1912) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Gaston Méliès and/or Robert Goodman?
Cast: William C. Cooper [the grown-up son]
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 14 November 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
[?] Drama: Western?
Synopsis: [From Méliès promotional materials] Sheriff Johnson stakes Whitridge to cash for a prospecting expedition and is to receive half the profits if they strike gold, The sheriff dies leaving a little son, and Whitridge, having struck riches, decides to ignore the agreement. Years later he refuses Cowboy Jack permission to marry his daughter. Jack produces the sharing agreement, for his is none other than the Sheriff’s son. Whitridge is undone, but Jack cheerfully relinquishes all claims in lieu of the paternal blessing, and all agree “Value Received.” // [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Sheriff Johnson “grub stakes” Whitridge in a gold prospecting proposition and puts up the money necessary, with the understanding that should the expedition be a success the profits would he divided equally. Soon after Whitridge’s departure the sheriff is shot and mortally wounded in rounding up a gang of desperate bandits. His dying act is to turn over the grubstake agreement to his little son, Jack, that he might derive the profits. Jack is adopted by the doctor, but soon runs away and becomes a cowboy. Whitridge makes a rich strike, but hearing of the sheriff’s death decides to ignore the grubstake. Fifteen years later finds Jack foreman of a ranch. Whitridge, having made a sufficient fortune, has just purchased the ranch west of that on which Jack is employed and settles down with his wife and daughter, Ethel, a girl of seventeen. She soon meets Jack in a romantic way, for he proves himself a hero when his horse runs away. Ethel introduces Jack to her father, who, though he does not recognize Jack, is not favorable to the match. But lovers are not to be outdone and their meetings continue in clandestine. Soon after, Jack goes over his dead father’s papers, and discovers the agreement with Whitridge, which he decides to present to the father to further his suit. While Jack is employed, however, Whitridge accidentally comes across his coat, finds the agreement, and learns Jack’s identity. Taking a further dislike he tears the papers up. In doing this he is perceived by Ethel, who gathers the small pieces, realizes the truth, and hurries to give them to Jack. Together they go to Whitridge and ask permission to marry only to be sternly refused. Then they confront him with the agreement. Whitridge is nonplussed, but Jack, perceiving his discomfiture, lights a match and smilingly offers to burn the agreement up in return for his daughter and his blessing. Whitridge agrees and all are happy.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 27 July 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 232 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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