SILENT FILMS 1916-1920: THE STRONGER LOVE (1916)

CREDITS

Released: August 13, 1916

Production Company:Oliver Morosco Photoplay Company

Featured Cast: Vivian Martin, Edward Peil Sr., Frank Lloyd, Jack Livingston, Alice Knowland, Herbert Standing, John McKinnon, Louise Emmons, William Jefferson

Director: Frank Lloyd

Cinematographer: James Van Trees

Writers: Julia Crawford Ivers (scenario), Alice von Saxmar (story)

TECH

Runtime 50 min (USA)
Sound Mix Silent
Color Black and White
Aspect Ratio 1.33 : 1
Film Length 1,500 m (5 reels) (USA)
Negative Format 35 mm
Cinematographic Process Spherical
Printed Film Format 35 mm

STORY

Nell, a beautiful mountain girl, is a member of the Serviss family, rivals of the neighboring Rutherford family. Nell is engaged to Jim Serviss, who is the head of their clan, but when, by accident, she meets a stranger who has come to stay with the Rutherfords, they become infatuated. The stranger spends much of his time examining and chipping away at rocks, causing an intense curiosity among the mountaineers, who suspect that he is a “revenuer.” When Nell learns that the stranger is searching for radium, she shows him a deposit rich in ore located near the Serviss still.

On the night of a big dance, the Serviss still is burned by revenue officers and the mountain people are convinced that the stranger is to blame. Nell rushes to the Rutherford cabin to warn the stranger who is revealed to be Rolf Rutherford. When Jim arrives, Nell saves Rolf’s life by telling Jim that she will marry the stranger. Soon after Jim leaves, however, Nell goes after him and admits that it is only he who she loves and that she lied to save him from committing murder.