''At the Stroke of the Angelus'' is a silent

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

starring

Charles Clary Charles Clary (March 24, 1873 – March 24, 1931) was an American actor of the silent film era. Clary appeared in more than 200 films between 1910 and 1930. He was born in Charleston, Illinois and died on his 58th birthday in Los Angeles, Ca ...

and

Francelia Billington Francelia Billington (February 1, 1895 – November 24, 1934) was an early American silent-screen actress, and an accomplished camera operator. Early life On February 1, 1895, Billington was born in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of James Billingt ...

. Billington portrays an American girl kidnapped in early childhood and brought up as a Mexican thief and street dancer. She falls in love with a wealthy American, who they come to believe may be her uncle.

Synopsis

On a 1850s migration trail, John Ford (Clary) must leave a stranded

wagon train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings. It ...

in search of help. Left behind are his ailing sister, Amy, and her young daughter, and they die shortly after John's departure. Only an unrelated young girl survives. Outlaw Pedro (Warren) ransacks the wagons, kidnapping the surviving girl and placing Amy's heirloom necklace around the girl's throat. Francelia Billington as Anita

Pedro raises the girl as his foster daughter, Anita (Billington). At age eighteen, she works for Pedro in Mexico as a thief and street dancer. She meets and falls in love with John, with neither knowing of their shared history. Pedro becomes jealous, and Anita intervenes to save John's life. Afterward, in her hut, Anita lifts her crucifix as the

Angelus The Angelus (; Latin for "angel") is a Catholic devotion commemorating the Incarnation of Christ. As with many Catholic prayers, the name ''Angelus'' is derived from its incipit—the first few words of the text: ("The Angel of the Lord ...

bell strikes. John recognizes his sister's chain, and departs, believing Anita must be his niece. Later, Pedro is caught robbing a mission altar. His conscience compels him to confess that Anita is not John's niece, and the lovers are reunited.

Cast

as John Ford *

as Anita * Edward Warren as Pedro *

Anna Mae Walthall Anna Mae Walthall (3 October 1894–17 April 1950) (also billed as Anna May Walthall) was an American actress of silent films, appearing in 24 films from 1914 to 1926. She was born as Anna May Walthall in 1894 (possibly in 1890) on a cotton ...

as Señorita Ynez (as Anna May Walthall) *

Wilbur Higby Wilbur Higby (August 21, 1867 – December 1, 1934) was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in more than 70 films between 1914 and 1934. Stage In the mid-1890s, Higby was a member of the stock company of the Grand Opera House ...

as Anita's father Source:

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, tt0413784, At the Stroke of the Angelus 1915 drama films Silent American drama films 1910s English-language films American drama short films