Movie spotlight
The Gold Cure
Annice Paisch and her friend, Edna Lawson, almost despair of finding husbands in their dull hometown until Annice is struck with the idea of strewing tacks over the heavily traveled road that passes her house. New Yorker Vance Duncan promptly has an accident and is forced to recuperate in the home of Annice's father, the local doctor. Vance sends Annice to the telegraph station to wire his uncle, Mike Darcy, and there she meets detective Robert Cord, who informs her that Vance is a hopeless alcoholic. Uncle Mike arrives and Annice immediately falls in love with him, while Edna longs for Vance. Cord has Vance imprisoned in Dr. Dumbbell's Sanitarium for Drunkards, but Annice, masquerading as a patient, smuggles him out. They arrive home to find someone else's "Uncle Mike" chastising the detective for tracking down the wrong man, and the four young lovers finally are left in peace.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman, desperate for money to pay off her father's debts, is drawn into a scheme involving a supposed 'gold cure' discovered by a quack doctor. She becomes entangled with a con artist who is also after the supposed cure, leading to a series of comedic and dramatic events as they navigate deception and genuine affection. Ultimately, the pursuit of wealth takes a backseat to the realization of true values.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1919, contemporary critical reception is difficult to pinpoint with modern metrics. However, films of this era from directors like Frank Lloyd often focused on clear narratives and character-driven plots, which would have been appreciated by audiences of the time. Modern assessments would likely view it as a charming example of early cinematic storytelling.
What Reviewers Say
A sweet and entertaining early silent comedy-drama.
Features charming performances and a clear, engaging narrative typical of its era.
Offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of early American cinema.
Google audience: As a silent film from 1919, specific user reviews are not readily available. However, films of this genre and period were generally appreciated for their entertainment value and moral storytelling.
Fun Fact
This film is notable for being an early directorial effort by Frank Lloyd, who would later go on to win an Academy Award for Best Director for 'Cavalcade' in 1933.
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