The Wrong Man (1917)

• 81%
• 1917
• Western
• Fred Kelsey
• Harry Carey
• Fritzi Ridgeway
• Vester Pegg

In June, 1891, two men toil through the desert toward Guadaloop, a town on the edge of the desert. Jack, the younger, is a desert prospector, while Ben Bostwick is considered the derelict of the town. "The Silver Top" Saloon is the social and business center of Guadaloop and is owned by Larry Malone, boss of the whole town. "Chip" Stevens is a pal of Larry. The stage drives in, and while the driver is getting a drink at the bar, he tells of the money he is carrying, but boasts of the five thousand dollars he is to bring in for the Banner Mine the coming week. Chip is pleased by this news. Alice Malone comes to the saloon to see Larry, her father, just after he has received a letter from a friend, warning him to elect a sheriff in the town or the U. S. Marshals will take charge of it themselves and will make it unpleasant for the inhabitants. When Jack and Ben arrive in the saloon, Chip proposes to Larry that Ben be elected as sheriff for he would be absolutely harmless. And as usual the bosses win and their candidate gets in office. Ben displays his star and revolvers with great pomposity. He never realizes that the men are making fun of him. When Jack starts out again toward the desert, Ben can't be persuaded to accompany him. Alice has promised to become Jack's wife as soon as he makes his strike, and is impatient for his return. Chip and two pals arrange to hold up the stage to get the five thousand dollars. Jack happens to be passing over a ridge and sees their preparations, and, being suspicious, rides toward them. The stage is pursued, two of the outlaws are shot and then Chip climbs up on the back of the stage, fires at the driver and is just searching for the bag of money, when Jack climbs onto the coach. They fight, and soon both roll off the stage, while the horses dash away without a driver. Chip regains consciousness and, seeing Jack, removes the mask from his own face and puts it on Jack, he then takes the gold and he rides away, meeting one of his pals. The stage arrives in Guadaloop and Ben immediately sets out to catch the bandits. He finds Jack lying in the road with the mask on, and though grief-stricken, forces him to go with him to the town where he places him in the jail. When Alice is told the story, she passes a bar through the jail window, with which he pries up the bars of the window and escapes. He rides quickly to the case and catches Chip just as he is leaving with the gold. Ben and Alice follow Jack and meet him on the road as he is bringing Chip to town. They tell the people that it was just a joke, a preparation to get the real outlaw. Ben rides on with Chip, while Jack and Alice loiter on the way.