A MAN'S COUNTRY

Produced by Winsome Stars Corp.; Released 7/13/19 by Robertson-Cole; Director: Henry Kolker; Screenplay: John Lynch and E. Richard Schayer, from a story by John Lynch; Cinematography: Robert Newhard; 5 reels; Print Source: Danish Film Institute (small fragment)

CAST: Alma Rubens (Kate Carewe), Albert Roscoe (Rev. Ralph Bowen), Lon Chaney ("Three Card" Duncan), Joseph Dowling (Marshall Leland), Edna May Wilson (Ruth Kemp), Alfred Hollingsworth (Oliver Kemp), Phil Gastrock (Connell)

SYNOPSIS: Kate Carewe is the acknowledged queen of Oliver Kemp's dance hall, where she rules over the rough miners and cold-blooded gamblers. One evening, "Three Card" Duncan shoots Kemp during a game of draw poker. Later, Duncan shoots Kemp's partner after winning his share of the saloon. Kate challenges Duncan to a game of poker, with the winner taking the entire saloon. Kate wins the game, and becomes the sole owner of the establishment. Some time later, the Rev. Ralph Bowen comes to the lawless town to try to bring religion to the men. Everyone scoffs at him, especially Kate, but he is undeterred from his goal. A plague comes to the town and many people are taken ill. Most of the inhabitants flee, leaving Kate, the minister, and some orphan children alone in the saloon. While the minister is out, Duncan returns and attacks Kate. Ralph returns and he and Duncan have a fight to the death, with the minister overpowering the gambler. Kate realizes her love for Ralph and agrees to find a better life with him.

"There is not a great deal of merit in the Robertson-Cole production, A MAN'S COUNTRY, if viewed from the critic's corner. It belongs to the school of melodrama, the kind that is loved by the ordinary throng; but the reins of production have not been governed by skilled hands...Alma Rubens' work is the saving grace of the production." ---Moving Picture World

"Except for an occasional indulgence of heroics, Miss Rubens and her players are excellent. The picture is rich in locations and atmosphere and action, and should appeal through its glamour of '49. Especially noticeable is the fine acting of Lon Chaney in the character of the bad man." ---Motion Picture News


NOTES: A small fragment of the film survives at the Danish Film Institute, but Chaney does not appear in the surviving fragment.

© 1997,2018 Jon C. Mirsalis


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