The Only Road
| The Only Road | |
|---|---|
 lobby poster | |
| Directed by | Frank Reicher |
| Produced by | Metro Pictures |
| Written by |
Albert Shelby Le Vino George D. Baker (scenario) |
| Starring | Viola Dana |
| Cinematography | John Arnold |
| Distributed by | Metro Pictures Corp. |
Release dates | June 3, 1918 |
Running time | 5 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Only Road is a 1918 American silent western film starring Viola Dana. It was produced and distributed by Metro Pictures and directed by Frank Reicher.[1][2]
This picture is preserved at the BFI National Film and Television archive in London.[3]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[4] Nita (Dana), in order to escape marrying Pedro Lupo (Blue), vainly calls for help and Bob Armstrong (Ferguson), who once before had rescued Nita from Pedro, again plays the hero. However, through the father of Pedro, a wrong light is placed upon this brave act such that Bob is forced to marry Nita. As Nita is of poor parentage while Bob is the son of a millionaire sent out west to gain his manhood, the match does not strike Bob as being a choice one, but the point of a pistol has considerable to do with his acquiescing. Nita is placed in a convent but escapes and, in the garb of a boy, seeks employment at the ranch where Bob is living. When found in the arms of her husband, the owner of the ranch, Clara Hawkins (Chapman), unaware of the inside facts, sends Nita away. Later explanations come and Nita turns out to be a child of Hawkins whom she thought had died at childbirth. When love enters the heart of Bob, Nita finds happiness.
Cast
- Viola Dana as Nita
- Casson Ferguson as Bob Armstrong
- Edythe Chapman as Clara Hawkins
- Fred Huntley as Ramon Lupo
- Monte Blue as Pedro Lupo
- Paul Weigel as Manuel Lopez
- Marie Van Tassell as Rosa Lopez
- Gertrude Short as Bianca
Reception
Like many American films of the time, The Only Road was subject to restrictions and cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors cut, in Reel 4, binding man's hands, all views of putting rope around man's neck and of man with rope around neck except the scene where the young woman shoots the rope.[5]
References
- ↑ The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Only Road
- ↑ Progressive Silent Film List: The Only Road at silentera.com
- ↑ The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Only Way
- ↑ "Reviews: The Only Road". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 7 (1): 42. June 29, 1918.
- ↑ "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 7 (2): 31. July 6, 1918.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Only Road. |
- The Only Road at the Internet Movie Database
- synopsis at AllMovie