The Scarlet Drop is a 1918 American silent Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. Just over 30 minutes of footage of the film now survives in the Getty Images Archive.[1]

The Scarlet Drop
Film poster
Directed byJohn Ford
Written byJohn Ford
George Hively
StarringHarry Carey
CinematographyBen F. Reynolds
Distributed byUniversal Film Manufacturing
Release date
  • April 22, 1918 (1918-04-22)
Running time
50 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

Plot

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As described in a film magazine,[2] "Kaintuck" Ridge (Carey), refused admission to the local militia to fight on the side of Union in the American Civil War, joins a gang of marauders and at the end of the conflict finds himself a fugitive with a price on his head. He goes west and becomes a bandit. Marley Calvert (Pegg), who kept Kaintuck out of the army, also goes west and takes up mining. Betty Calvert (Schade) is taken captive when Kaintuck holds up a stage coach. His hatred for the Calverts is overcome by his admiration for Molly (Malone) and later, when her honor is attacked by a former suitor, he defends her and wins her love.

Cast

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Reception

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Like many American films of the time, The Scarlet Drop was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors issued an Adults Only permit for the film and cut, in Reel 2, the shooting of man standing in church yard, Reel 3, placing tree in road, all scenes of coach holdup except where young woman and bandit are conversing, two scenes of outlaws taking spoils from passengers, Reel 5, three fight scenes were man presses knife towards opponent, two scenes of men throwing knives, and man shooting Ridge.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: The Scarlet Drop". silentera.com. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  2. ^ "Reviews: The Scarlet Drop". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (17). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 28. April 20, 1918.
  3. ^ "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (19). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 31. May 4, 1918.
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