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In the Service of the State
(1912) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Francis J. Grandon
Cast: Edgar Jones [Joseph Vance], Clara Williams [Molly Hawkins], Burton L. King [Bert Hawkins, Molly’s father]
Lubin Manufacturing Company production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Siegmund Lubin. / Released 22 October 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Joseph Vance, a prospector, has built a home near the mountain regions of Southern California for the reception of his mother, father and sister, whom he expects. Upon going to the railroad station to meet them, he learns that a wreck has occurred on the line and that his parents and little sister were among the killed. He loses interest in life until one day volunteers are called to form a posse to hunt down a desperado who killed the sheriff of the county. He is sworn in as a deputy and receives his badge. Determining to bring the desperado to town dead or alive, he leaves on the man hunt. Burt Hawkins is hiding in the hills in a deserted log house. Every day his daughter secretly brings him food. It was on one of these trips that an accident befell her while Vance was in the vicinity. He assists her to her cabin and his admiration for the pretty girl is shattered when he learns that she is the daughter of the man he has sworn to capture. He tells her why he came into the hills and Molly is called upon to choose between the lives of the two men. Vance decides to do his duty. He trails Hawkins to his hiding place and Molly follows, rifle in hand to protect her father. A desperate battle takes place. Hawkins tries to kill his opponent, but in the effort the gun is discharged and Hawkins falls with a bullet from his own gun. Molly believing Vance has killed her father, fires at him wounding him in the shoulder, but when she learns that Vance had not fired a shot from his revolver her heart goes out to him. She hurries away to obtain assistance and the posse, who went out to help and protect Vance. They find Hawkins beyond human aid and wounded. They assist him to Molly’s cabin where Molly tenderly nurses him back to health. Vance has fallen deeply in love with the little angel who daily ministers to his wants.
Survival status: Prints exist in the British Film Institute National Archive fim archive; and in the Betzwood Film Archive film archive.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 13 December 2024.
References: Website-Betzwood; Website-IMDb.
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