Lightnin’ Bill Jones, a man partial to the bottle, does chores and odd jobs around the Calivada Hotel, which is run by his wife and their adopted daughter, Millie. Real estate hucksters, learning that the hotel stands on a proposed railroad right of way, talk Mother Jones into selling the land, but, on the advice of John Marvin, a young lawyer in love with Millie, Bill refuses to sign the bill of sale. Mother Jones orders him from the house, and he goes to live in the Old Soldiers’ Home. The schemers persuade Mother Jones to divorce Bill, and she takes him to court.
Director: John Ford.
Stars: Jay Hunt, Wallace MacDonald, Richard Travers, J. Farrell MacDonald, Otis Harlan, Edythe Chapman, Madge Bellamy, Ethel Clayton, Brandon Hurst, James A. Marcus.
Great upload!
Rare John Ford film is seldom seen. Sadly, it has all the sentimentality of Fotd wiith any of his great cinematic eye. The change in his style would come after working with F. W. Murnau when that German expressionalist came to work at Fox a few years after this film’s release. Still a treat to watch such a rare film.
As a John Ford fan, many thanks for this rare gem.
Great upload!
This film was shown last week at the MOMA which I missed so it was a pleasure to see this on the Rare Films site.. I am sure that someone can parse this film for Fordian elements. I could find none. The sentiment is laid on with a very broad brush;young love, old love,villains brought to heel and of course a dog.Still the film has its moments and not just for Ford completists.. Thank you Jon and more John Ford please.
If I had six stars I would have given you all of them. Simply put, a wonderful film. Thank you. Carol