|
The Black Trackers
(1913) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel
Directed by [?] Bertram Bracken and/or Gaston Méliès?
Cast: Ray Gallagher [Wilson, the white trader], Claire Nightingale
Méliès Star Films [American] production; distributed by [?] The Vitagraph Company of America through The General Film Company, Incorporated? / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 15 May 1913; in a split-reel with At Cairns, North Queensland (1913). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The production was shot on-location in Australia in 1912.
Drama: South Seas.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? In a wild part of Australia, Wilson, an English trader in kangaroo skins, has his camp. Coming into daily contact with the black Negroes of that country, he becomes their friend and they, in return, protect him. An Englishman, a stranger, comes to the camp whom Wilson’s black friends take an instinctive dislike to, but since he brings news of the outside world, the trader takes him in as a guest. Wilson receives gold for a consignment of skins, and. believing the stranger to be asleep, steals carefully away to place it in his secret hiding place. But his guest sees all, and, following him, learns of the hiding place. When Wilson returns the stranger is lying, as when be left, apparently asleep, but no sooner is the trader off his guard than his guest pounces upon him and deals a terrific blow. Then so as to point suspicion of the crime toward the black natives, he places spears about the trader’s body and sets fire to the camp. The flames and smoke alarm the natives and they come in time to rescue their friend from being burned to death. Then, assured that his wounds are but slight they leave him and take up the trail of the culprit. The stranger having secured the gold takes refuge in the nearest village, spreading the news that the blacks have murdered Wilson. The village is aroused and a party sets out to avenge the crime. Meeting the blacks they learn the truth, verified by Wilson, and all make haste back to the village just in time to prevent the stranger from making his escape by boat.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Australia
Listing updated: 15 August 2023.
References: Shirley-Australian p. 27; Thompson-Star p. 234 : Website-IMDb.
|
