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The Silent Battle
Also known as [The Deficit]
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Leon D. Kent (Leon De La Mothe)
Cast: Agnes Vernon [Audrey Parkinson], Hobart Henley, Brownie Vernon, Paul Machette, William Quinn, L.M. Wells, [?] Ray Hanford?
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Gold Seal]. / From a story by Peter B. Kyne. / Released [?] October? 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / [?] Ray Hanford may have only appeared in The Silent Battle (1916).
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? William Lovett, known as “Wild Bill,” is the son of “Battleship” Lovett, who has made a fortune. Lovett. Sr., is greatly aggrieved at his son’s dissipation and fears for his future. “Old Timmins,” Lovett’s faithful secretary, notes with dismay the growing worries of his employer, and presuming upon their long friendship, inquires the cause. Lovett, Sr., tells of the disappointment the boy is proving. The old man comforts Lovett and outlines a plan which he thinks will prove beneficial to everyone. One night “Wild Bill” misconducts himself in the presence of his childhood friend, Audrey Parkinson, who repulses his advances in his maudlin condition. The next day she and her father return to their ranch in the west. Lovett, Sr., decides to put Timmins’ plan into effect and so next day has his lawyer draft a new will. His lawyer sends for Lovett. Jr., reads the will and when the lawyer returns impatiently asks what is wanted of him. The lawyer hands him a contract to sign whereby he will receive ten dollars per week if he will promise not to communicate with his father. He refuses to sign it. The note has awakened the long dormant manhood in the boy and the lawyer sees how deep is the blow the boy is suffering and tells Timmins to call off the plan, but he refuses. Lovett, Jr., writes his father that, although he has fallen pretty low, he will not accept his terms, and leaves, promising to return when he has made a man of himself. He rides on the bunkers of a train, and is thrown off by the crew as the train is stopping in the town in which Audrey lives. She recognizes Lovett, Jr., and wires his father, who offers a reward for information that will keep him supplied with knowledge as to his son’s whereabouts. A deputy sheriff in a neighboring town, to whom Lovett, Jr., applies for work in exchange of a meal recognizes him from the notice, and that night he earns his first money by sawing wood. He rides the bunkers again and is put off in a town near where Audrey lives. She sees him and is instrumental in getting a job for him with Old Man Carr. In the weeks that pass, Bill proves his ability and on one of the paydays, accompanies the boys to town. All head for the saloon. Bill refuses to accompany them, then changes his mind and coming in, calls for mineral water, telling them that he has taken his last drink. Audrey keeps his father in touch with these happenings. Carr tires of his strenuous life and offers the ranch to Bill at his own terms. Bill accepts the proposition and calls on Audrey to tell her the good news. Audrey later promises to marry him. Five years pass and Bill has made good in the full sense of the word. Now he can visit his father and does so, accompanied by Audrey, his wife, and four-year-old son. He calls at the father’s office and treats the old secretary, Timmins, coldly, but there is a glad reunion with his father. Old Timmins, on account of Bill’s indifference, resigns, but is taken back by Bill. Bill spends a brief year with his father, each day of which is full of joy to them both, and then his father gives up his fight and dies. Later Timmins brings the will and papers of Lovett, Sr. While going through the papers Bill finds a promissory note for eighty-five thousand dollars, and turning it over reads, “Paid in full with a few tears, a few heartaches and unlimited pride in my son.” He realizes the trick the old man has played on him in buying the ranch and allowing the payments to be made through Carr to him.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 8 October 2023.
References: Tarbox-Lost p. 237 : ClasIm-220 p. 52 : Website-IMDb.
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