|
A Desperate Chance
(1908) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: (unknown)
World Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by World Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated. / Released 19 October 1908. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Original prints were color-tinted black & white.
Drama.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 31 October 1908, page ?] The Simple Life. — The little home of Mr. Brandon — At the breakfast table — Content with life — A good wife — The package to take to the factory — A fond good-bye — Package forgotten — Wife alone — The ‘Wolf’ — He makes advances — Brave woman indignant — Attempts to kiss — Husband returns for package — Caught in the act — Well chastised — Threatens vengeance. An Error in the Law. — A week later — Evening — The happy family — A knock at the door — The ‘Idler’s’ vengeance — A warrant for an innocent man — The brother believes him guiltless — Swears to find the guilty — A wife’s affection. A Plot for Freedom. — Brother and wife — The plot — Files and saws concealed in a loaf of bread — The lunch — At the prison — The guard’s refusal — Love knows no law — Wife secretly passes bread to imprisoned husband — A well-laid plan. The Escape. — Cuts his way to liberty — A guard encountered — The keys secured — All to liberty — The chase — To the river — Over the mountains — Into the woods — Posse checked by fire — The last stand—Brandon left for dead — Found. The ‘Wolf’ Makes an Enemy of His Accomplice. — A good heart — The quarrel — A cowardly blow — Another enemy — To the highway — Picked up by the brother — Declares revenge. All Is Well that Ends Well. — A once happy home — The watching sister — Wife with wounded husband — House surrounded — Captured — The interruption — Brother with witness — Happiness once more — The prayer — A coward’s last play — The end. // [The Moving Picture World, 31 October 1908, page ?] Brandon’s home at the breakfast hour. Brandon’s wife hands him a package to take on his way to the factory, which he promptly forgets, and leaves for his daily toil, after a fond good-bye. At his departure, the would-be lover appears upon the scene and is promptly scorned by the dutiful wife; but, not in the least disconcerted, he attempts to force his attentions upon her, when the husband, returning for the forgotten package, chastises him as he deserves. A week later the scoundrel, after committing a crime, swears that Brandon is the perpetrator and gains a warrant for his arrest, whereupon the innocent man’s brother vows to clear his name and convict the guilty person. The brother and wife immediately concoct a plot whereby they may smuggle files and saws into the prison and liberate the innocent husband. They are successful, and soon Brandon, followed by the other convicts, breaks for liberty. They now make their way to the river, over the mountains, and into the woods, closely pursued by the guards, when, given to desperation, the prisoners fire the woods to check the oncoming posse. The posse finally surrounds the fleeing men and compels them to stand. Here a battle royal takes place and many are left for dead, among whom is Brandon, who is soon found by the searching wife and brother. In the meantime, the ‘Wolf’ and his dupe quarrel. The latter is struck down by the villain, who leaves him for dead, but the accomplice soon revives and is found by Brandon’s brother. Brandon is brought home and the wife and sister are attending to his wounds, when the house is surrounded by officers, and the escaped man is about to be taken back to prison as the brother and wounded accomplice enter and tell their story, which throws the crime upon the guilty party. Brandon is released and the scoundrel who has caused all the trouble is arrested. All are happy once more and the picture closes with the ‘Wolf’ in striped clothes behind the well-deserved iron bars.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 29 June 2023.
References: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
|
