The Devil's Trail

The Devil's Trail

Lantern slide for the film.
Directed by Stuart Paton
Produced by World Film Company
Written by Frank S. Beresford (story)
Starring Betty Compson
Cinematography William Thornley
Distributed by World Film
Release dates
  • June 16, 1919
Running time
 5 reels; 4,693 feet)
Country United States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

The Devil's Trail is a 1919 American silent drama film that is set in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. It was directed by Stuart Paton and stars Betty Compson.[1][2] Its survival status is classified as unknown,[2] which suggests that it is a lost film.

Plot

As described in a film magazine,[3] Dibec (Malatesta), a whiskey smuggler who trades liquor to the Indians for blankets and furs, is being pursued by the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. Dubec stops at the post where Mrs. Delisle, wife of Sergeant Delisle, is alone with her daughter Nonette and her baby sister Julie. Dubec kills Mrs. Delisle and abducts Nonette. Twelve years later, Julie (Compson) is celebrating her 16th birthday. The men of the Royal Mounted attend this function, and while the dinner is in progress, Sergeant MacNair arrives. He at once falls in love with Julie, and she with him, and this love persists even though MacNair is to succeed Julie's father as commander of the post. The post is located at Chino Landing, and Sergeant Delisle has been unable to curb the lawless element brought by the gold rush. After twelve years Dubec has returned from the gold camp and is accompanied by Nonette. She is now a woman of the dance halls, and at first she succeeds in keeping her identity secret from her father. But when Delisle's life is endangered by the lawless element and Julie is kidnapped by Dubec, Nonette reveals her secret. While MacNair, who has also been taken prisoner, fights to save Julie, Nonette brings her father and others to the scene. Dubec is captured and there is a happy reunion.

Cast

unbilled

Production

The Devil's Trail during production had the working title of Rose of the Border,[2] which would have reflected the name of Compson's role, then named Rose.

References

  1. ↑ The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1911-20 by The American Film Institute, c.1988
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Progressive Silent Film List: The Devil's Trail at silentera.com
  3. ↑ McElravy, Robert C. (June 21, 1919). "Reviews and Advertising Aids: The Devil's Trail". Moving Picture World (New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company) 40 (12): 1825, 1817. Retrieved 2014-09-26.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Devil's Trail.