Movie spotlight
Keno Bates, Liar
Jim Maitland loses his last cent gambling the Double Stamp saloon and gambling hall, and shortly after it closes, he robs the proprietors "Keno" Bates and "Wind River"are robbed, at gunpoint. After the surprise, they track Maitland down, and Keno shoots him dead on self defense. Keno goes through his belongings and finds a letter and a locket; the letter announces the arrival of the deceased's sister, and the locket has a cameo picture of Doris Maitland. Thus, Keno tells Wind River they must do a heap of lying. Meeting the girl at the stagecoach's arrival, Keeno feels responsible for the innocent and attractive Ms. Maitland; he tells her a white lie, that her brother was a good man, "killed in a mine accident," who had left her a cabin and money - and Keno turns his own cabin over to Doris. Keno and Doris began to fall in love. Anita, a dance-hall girl, aggressively tries to seduce Keno.
Insights
Plot Summary
This short silent film tells the story of Keno Bates, a man whose life is built on a foundation of lies. His deceptions begin to unravel, leading to dramatic confrontations and the potential ruin of his carefully constructed world. The film explores the consequences of dishonesty and the struggle for redemption.
Critical Reception
As a silent short film from 1915, specific critical reception is difficult to ascertain with modern metrics. However, films of this era often focused on moralistic tales and melodramatic plots, which were generally popular with contemporary audiences. It is presumed to have been received as a typical example of its genre at the time.
What Reviewers Say
A moralistic tale about the pitfalls of deceit.
Features a dramatic narrative typical of early cinema.
Explores the consequences of a life built on falsehoods.
Google audience: Due to the film's age and obscurity, there is no available data on Google user reviews.
Fun Fact
This film is considered a rare surviving example of early American cinema, offering a glimpse into the narrative styles and thematic concerns of the 1910s.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources