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How the Cause Was Won
(1912) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by Fred Huntley
Cast: Wheeler Oakman [Tom Clarke], Betty Harte [Mabel Moody], George Hernandez [Major Clarke, Tom’s father], Frank Clark [Mr. Moody, Mabel’s father], Robert Chandler (James Robert Chandler) [Superintendent Hinton], Forrest Littlefield [Jack Smith, the foreman], Clyde Garner [Young Clarke], Eddie James [Young Moody]
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by William N. Selig. Scenario by William Campbell. / Released [?] 2 or 7? October 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Major Clarke is the president of a large steel works. His son, Tom, returns from college with ideas of leisure which do not coincide with the hardworking “governor,” and the “governor” tells Tom that he must get out and hustle for himself. Tom, who is not really a bad fellow at all, has heard much of the hardships of employees in the steel works. He conceals his identity and becomes a steel worker. While here, Tom becomes engaged to Mabel, the daughter of “Old Man” Moody, a Civil War veteran, and one of the oldest employees of the works. This transpires just at the time that the steel workers plan a strike on account of a notice of reduction of wages, signed by Major Clarke. Mabel learns of Tom’s identity, and, believing him a spy, working in the interests of his father, denounces him. At this juncture a vote is called for to decide whether the men shall strike or not. There is considerable dissension in the ranks of the workers themselves, and half hold out against the strike. Tom Clarke casts the deciding vote in favor of the strike, as he believes that the workers’ grievances are real. The strikers are meeting around a stand erected for their speakers, when Major Clarke pushes his way through the hostile throng to demand a hearing of the employer’s side of the case. The strikers start a demonstration against him, when “Old Man” Moody recognizes Clarke as one of his old Civil War regimental mates. Moody jumps up and quiets the strikers. The appeal to the Americanism of all present is so strong that the turbulent men become friendly and the “Big Boss” signs an agreement granting all they ask. Tom and Mabel are, of course, reconciled, and the “governor” is convinced that his son is the “real thing.”
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 6 January 2025.
References: Lahue-Selig p. 107; Sloan-Loud pp. 67, 149 : ClasIm-224 p. 53 : Website-IMDb.
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