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His Father’s Rifle
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Edward J. Le Saint (Edward LeSaint)
Cast: Guy Oliver [Kirke Warren], Stella Razetto (Stella Razeto) [Elsa Birch], William Howard [James Birch], Bert Grassby (Bertram Grassby) [Higgens], Earle Foxe
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by [?] V-L-S-E, Incorporated, or The General Film Company, Incorporated? / Produced by William N. Selig. Scenario by Joseph F. Poland. / Released 17 June 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Adventure.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Kirke Warren paints jungle beasts in their native state, and his dearest possession is a rifle, with the initials K.W. on the stock, and which weapon once belonged to his father. Higgens, Kirke’s servant, is given a morning of relaxation by his master. Higgens enters the tent for some fishing lines, sees the rifle and resolves to take the gun with him on his morning’s expedition. James Birch, a well-to-do African farmer, and Elsa, his wife, are happy in their jungle home. Birch leaves for a day’s hunt in the jungle. Higgens’ morning expedition has proven unproductive and he has but one shot left. As he stands in the woods, he sees a leopard enter. Higgens creeps forward with his gun raised. Birch is seated on the other side, behind a clump of bushes. Higgens shows excitement and fires at the leopard. Birch is in direct line of fire, and is shot and killed. Higgens, in pursuit of the leopard, discovers Birch’s prostrate body. He drops the rifle and exclaims, “I must have done this.” He then leaves the scene, letting the rifle lie on the ground. One of Birch’s native servants enters the woods and finds the body of Birch. The native shows the empty rifle to Mrs. Birch. He points to the initials on the stock of the gun. In the meantime, Higgens returns to Kirke Warren’s tent and finishes packing equipment preparatory to their returning home. Kirke misses his father’s rifle, and shows great regret at its loss. A year passes by, and Kirke Warren, the artist, meets Elsa Birch, the widow, in a ballroom. There is a mutual attraction and later Elsa invites Kirke to her house party. At the weekend party given by Elsa, the men plan a lion hunt. Kirke shows an interest in the expedition, but tells Elsa that he has no rifle. Elsa tells him that she will loan him one. Kirke enters the room and finds there his father’s rifle. Elsa appears in the doorway. She sees Kirke’s wonderment and stops. She realizes that she has at last found the owner of the empty rifle, and the supposed murderer of her husband. She plots what she believes will be a just punishment to a murderer. Elsa gives whispered instructions to a servant and says, “Tell him nothing regarding the rifle. Contrive to empty it and give him a belt filled with cartridges too large for the gun.” The men start forward on the wild animal hunt. Elsa wonders more and more as to the justness of her proposed revenge, and finally conscience stricken, resolves to try and avert a tragedy. Kirke encounters a lion. He raises his gun, pulls the trigger and the weapon fails to explode. The beast attacks Kirke and there is a desperate struggle. In the meantime, Elsa is unable to find the hunting party. She becomes lost in the jungle and there is discovered by a band of Zulus, who take her prisoner. Kirke and other members of the hunting party return to the Birch home. He indicates to the lady guests that his wound is not serious. Kirke resolves to ask of Elsa an explanation of why the cartridges were too large for the rifle given him. He asks for her and learns that she is missing. Kirke leads a party, including Higgens and others, in search of Elsa. They strike the trail of the Zulus. A battle results, and many shots are exchanged. Kirke and his comrades rush upon the natives after they have exhausted their ammunition, and Kirke’s empty rifle, used as a club, saves the day. Kirke finds Elsa and liberates her. At the Birch home, Kirke later is recovering from his varied experiences. He asks Higgens, “What have they done with my father’s rifle?” Elsa overhears the question, and asks Higgens, “What is the terrible mystery connected with this rifle?” Higgens breaks down and he confesses to Elsa that he was responsible for the death of her husband. Elsa tells Higgens that it was an accident and that he was not to blame. Elsa takes the rifle to Kirke and lays it carefully across his lap, showing tenderness toward him. Elsa tells Kirke, “You must rest now and when you are stronger you shall hear the true story of the empty rifle.” A look of happiness lightens Kirke’s face.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 14 August 2023.
References: Lahue-Selig p. 205 : Website-IMDb.
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