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The Shuttle of Fate
(1912) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by Colin Campbell
Cast: Tom Santschi
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by William N. Selig. From a story by John A. Slegor. / Released 16 October 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Frank Keene, roughened by years spent in the Alaskan goldfields, is returning to San Francisco on a steamer that also carries the DeLongs and their little daughter, Lois. Keene’s lonely heart is attracted to the child’s sweet ways, and the tot takes a natural liking to him. One night the steamer meets with a disastrous collision, and terrible scenes ensue. As the vessel sinks the passengers and crew are seen fighting for vantage points. Gradually all are forced to leap overboard. Keene fights his way to Lois, grabs her in his arms, leaps into the ocean and swims. The child’s parents are lost, but Keene and the child are saved. Keene takes Lois inland with him. In the city he falls into gambling ways. Lois, in a very touching scene, invades the barroom in her nightgown and by her sweet innocence causes him to foreswear gambling and drinking forever. Keene buys a ranch and settles down to bring Lois up to the best of his ability. The child develops into a beautiful girl. Keene idolizes her and she is perfectly happy with him. One night, as they are sitting about the lamp together, Keene is struck dumb by an ad in the paper, asking for information concerning the DeLong child, supposedly lost in the wreck. Keene has a silent struggle with himself, but conquers his desire to keep Lois hidden from her past, and sends her to her aunt in the east. Thereafter Keene’s life is one of pathetic loneliness. The loyalty which he thought was only fatherly he recognizes now as more. In the east, Lois is loved by an ardent young admirer, but her heart has stayed on the western ranch with Keene. Unable to bear the separation longer, she flees to the old home, and she and Keene are married.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 9 October 2023.
References: Lahue-Selig p. 118 : Website-IMDb.
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