''Hitchin' Posts'' is a 1920 American
drama film
In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...
directed by
John Ford
John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...
. It is considered to be a
lost film
A lost film is a feature or short film that no longer exists in any studio archive, private collection, public archive or the U.S. Library of Congress.
Conditions
During most of the 20th century, U.S. copyright law required at least one copy o ...
.
Plot
As described in a
film magazine
Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...
,
Jefferson Todd (Mayo) and Louis Castiga (Harris), brothers-in-law, come to blows on a Mississippi River steamer when Todd discovers Castiga's presence there with a woman usurping the place of his wife, Todd's sister. Todd, a Southern gentleman whose fortune was depleted during the
Civil War
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...
, is attempting to rebuild it by gambling on the river boats that frequent the great river. He wins four race horses at poker with Colonel Brereton (Fenton), but refuses to collect the stakes. Brereton insists, and then takes his own life. Brereton's suicide causes Todd to question his new profession. Todd and Castiga again meet at the plantation home of the Colonel's daughter Barbara (Burnham), both having gone there to break the news of her father's death. Castiga's wiliness makes Barbara believe that Todd is an intruder and the cause of her father's ruin. The trouble between the men results in a duel in which Castiga cheats and is driven out of town. Barbara's faith in Todd is established and together they join the great army of homesteaders and go West for the great land lottery that followed the Civil War. They win a race for a homestead involving prairie schooners, buckboards, horse teams, and race horses, but fall victims to a plot hatched by Castiga. In a struggle between the two, Todd is victorious while his enemy meets his death. Love beckens for Todd and Barbara.
Cast
*
Frank Mayo as Jefferson Todd
*
Beatrice Burnham
Beatrice Burnham (October 2, 1902 – January 8, 1995) was an American film actress in silent films.
Selected filmography
* ''Ramona'' (1916)
* ''Jack and Jill'' (1917)
* ''The Petal on the Current'' (1919)
*''Upstairs'' (1919)
* '' Hitchin' P ...
as Barbara Brereton
* C.E. Anderson as Captain of steamer
* Matthew Biddulph as Major Grey (credited as M. Biddulph)
*
Mark Fenton
Mark Fenton (November 11, 1866 – July 29, 1925) was an American stage performer and motion-picture character actor who appeared in at least 80 films between 1914 and 1925.
Fenton had considerable experience performing on stage prior to a ...
as Colonel Brereton
*
Dagmar Godowsky
Mercedes Dagmar Godowsky (November 24, 1897 – February 13, 1975) was an American silent film actress.
Biography
Mercedes Dagmar Godowsky was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 24, 1897, the daughter of Polish-Jewish composer Leopold Godow ...
as Octoroon
*
Joe Harris as Louis Castiga
*
Duke R. Lee
Duke R. Lee (May 13, 1881 – April 1, 1959) was an American actor.
Lee's career began when he performed in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, and he later played Buffalo Bill on film. He appeared in more than 90 films between 1913 and 1946. I ...
as Colonel Lancy (credited as Duke Lee)
*
J. Farrell MacDonald
John Farrell MacDonald (June 6, 1875 – August 2, 1952) was an American character actor and director. He played supporting roles and occasional leads. He appeared in over 325 films over a four-decade career from 1911 to 1951, and directed fort ...
as Joe Alabam (credited as J. Farrell McDonald)
See also
*
List of lost films
For this list of lost films, a lost film is defined as one of which no part of a print is known to have survived. For films in which any portion of the footage remains (including trailers), see List of incomplete or partially lost films.
Reas ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hitchin Posts
1920 films
1920 drama films
American silent feature films
Silent American drama films
American Civil War films
American black-and-white films
Films directed by John Ford
Lost American films
Universal Pictures films
1920 lost films
Lost drama films
1920s American films