The Mountain Rat is a 1914 silent four-reel film directed by James Kirkwood for Biograph. The film—described as "a drama of daring and romance in the Western wilds"[1]—is notable for being one of the biggest early screen appearances of actress Dorothy Gish.[2]

The Mountain Rat
Contemporary advertisement
Directed byJames Kirkwood Sr.
Written byMary Rider (story)
Frank E. Woods (scenario)
StarringHenry B. Walthall
Irene Hunt
Dorothy Gish
Production
company
Distributed byMutual Film
Release date
  • May 1914 (1914-05) (USA)
Running time
4 reels

Plot

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After an argument, Douglas Williams' fiancée, Harriet, returns the engagement ring. Discouraged, he soon heads out west, where he meets and falls for a dancer named Nell, known as the Mountain Rat in a dance hall at a mining camp. Nell has been shunned by the more "respectable" women of the community, but Douglas doesn't care; he marries her on the spur of the moment. Drama ensues when Douglas's mother and former fiancée come looking for him and he's forced to choose.[3][4]

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ "7 Aug 1914, Page 5 - The News Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
  2. ^ Motography. 1918.
  3. ^ "Photo Plays: The Mountain Rat". The Seattle Star. May 18, 1914. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  4. ^ "Motion Picture Shows: The Mountain Rat". The Arkansas Democrat. June 24, 1914. Retrieved January 11, 2019.