The Man from Hell's River
The Man from Hell's River, also known as simply Hell's River, is a 1922 American silent western film starring Irving Cummings, Eva Novak, and Wallace Beery. The screenplay was written by Cummings based upon the story "God of Her People" by James Oliver Curwood, and directed by Cummings.[1] The picture was notably the first of many (including a subsequent television series) for canine character Rin Tin Tin,[2] who replaced a truculent wolf originally slated to appear.[3] The movie exists and is readily available online. The Man from Hell's River was produced by Irving Cummings Productions.
The Man from Hell's River | |
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Lobby card | |
Directed by | Irving Cummings |
Produced by | Irving Cummings |
Written by | Irving Cummings |
Based on | "God of Her People" by James Oliver Curwood |
Starring | Irving Cummings Eva Novak Wallace Beery |
Cinematography | Conrad Wells |
Production company | Irving Cummings Productions |
Distributed by | Western Pictures Exploitation Company |
Release date |
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Running time | 5 reels |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[4] taking place in the woods of the Canadian northwest, Corporal Pierre de Barre (Cummings) loves Mabella (Novak), the foster daughter of Lopente (Klein), and she loves him. Gaspard, The Wolf (Beery), holding over Lopente knowledge of a killing for which he would be arrested, demands Mabella. Lopente forces the young woman to marry Gaspard, telling her that he would be arrested and hung otherwise. She does not tell Corporal Pierre why this happened, and he cannot fathom her reasons. Gaspard returns to seeing the women of doubtful virtue which formerly held his attentions. This irritates Pierre but he cannot do anything. The Priest tells Pierre of Mabella's story, and that she is not really Lopente's daughter. Mabella arouses Gaspard's jealousy and he sets out to kill Pierre. Sergeant McKenna (Whitson) and his deputy leave the post deserted, and Gaspard arrives and knocks Pierre down. Gaspard then flees with his wife. Pierre follows, and he and Gaspard have a fight out on the snow covered mountain. Pierre's wolf dog (Rin Tin Tin) breaks his bounds and jumps, landing on Gaspard and knocking him over the cliff. Pierre and Mabella are now free to marry.
Cast
- Irving Cummings as Pierre de Barre
- Eva Novak as Mabella
- Wallace Beery as Gaspard, The Wolf
- Frank Whitson as Sergeant McKenna
- Robert Klein as Lopente
- William Herford as The Padre
- Rin Tin Tin
References
- 1878-1967., Sandburg, Carl (2000). The movies are : Carl Sandburg's film reviews and essays, 1920-1928. Bernstein, Arnie. (1st ed.). Chicago, Ill.: Lake Claremont Press. ISBN 1893121054. OCLC 45184671.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- Shackleton, Kay. "Rin Tin Tin". silenthollywood.com. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
- Douglas., Keister. Stories in Stone Paris: A Field Guide to Paris Cemeteries and Their Residents (First ed.). Layton, Utah. ISBN 9781461943235. OCLC 857769891.
- "Reviews: The Man from Hell's River". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 14 (19): 60–61. May 6, 1922.