The Big Punch is a 1921 American silent Western film directed by John Ford.[1] No copy of the film is known to survive in either a public repository or private collection, so it is currently presumed to be a lost film. In France, the film was known under the title Un homme libre ("A Free Man").[1]

The Big Punch
Original theatrical poster
Directed byJohn Ford
Written byJohn Ford
Jules Furthman
Produced byWilliam Fox
StarringBuck Jones
Barbara Bedford
CinematographyFrank B. Good
Distributed byFox Film Corporation
Release date
  • February 13, 1921 (1921-02-13)
Running time
50 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

Plot

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As summarized in a film publication,[2] Buck (Jones) consents to study for the ministry, and before leaving attempts to convince his worthless brother Jed (Curtis) to sober up and stay home with their mother (Lee) during Buck's absence. On the eve of his leaving Buck is implicated in a murder committed by Jed and his gang. Buck serves two years and upon his release completes his study for the ministry before returning home. People ridicule him and laugh at the "jailbird minister," as they call him. During one of his services, his brother and two pals enter the church to hide from the prison officials who are after them. Buck shields them, and they later come to his aid when Flash McGraw (Siegmann), the owner of a dance hall, has lured Hope Standish, a Salvation Army girl (Bedford), to his room, and Buck has to fight the whole gang. A girl who believes McGraw is "throwing her over" reveals that McGraw "framed" the murder charge on Jed and his pals. This gives the men their freedom and clears Buck, leaving him free to marry the Salvation Army girl.

Cast

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Progressive Silent Film List: The Big Punch". Silent Era. Retrieved March 2, 2008.
  2. ^ "The Big Punch: All Right for Program Offering But Star Has Had Better Stories". Film Daily. 15 (41). New York City: Wyd's Films and Film Folks, Inc.: 19 February 13, 1921. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
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