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The Lesson (1910)

1910 · Silent film · 1 min · dir. D.W. Griffith

  • Drama
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Synopsis

The Rev. Mr. Hollister, nearing the last milestone of life's journey, has but one ardent wish, end that is to see his son James wearing the cloth that he must now lay aside on account of his old age. The boy has had the advantage of an example in religions principles, but he has needed the guiding solicitude of a mother, she having long since died, so that James and his sister Ruth are raised by their father, the old minister. The old father loses no opportunity to point out the better way for James, hoping that he will follow in his footsteps. Ruth is also solicitous, she feeling that James is guilty at times of disobedience, in which conjecture she is right. James instead of hearkening to his father's plea, though he ostensibly pretends to, spends most of his time in the corner saloons, becoming more addicted to drink, until through moral frailty the habit is formed to an irrepressible degree. The old minister's condition takes a sudden turn for the worse and upon the arrival of the doctor Ruth is informed that her father has but a few moments to live. The old man calls for his boy, but he at this hour is in a saloon intoxicated, rejecting the persuasions of even his companions to go home, for they are cognizant of the good man's weakness. Ruth knows too well where her brother is at this moment and can imagine his condition, but she conquers pride and goes out to search for him. Entering the saloon, she finds him in an almost helpless condition. The saloon-keeper,…

Synopsis from OMDb

Details

Director
D.W. Griffith
Writer
Dell Henderson
Cinematography
Billy Bitzer
Studio
American Mutoscope & Biograph
Released
1910-12-19
Running time
1 minutes
Language
English
Collection
Silent Hall of Fame, Silent Films, Feature Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

Cast & crew