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  • The Witness (I) (1915)
  • Short | Short, Drama
The Witness (I) (1915)
Short | Short, Drama
Billy Rand, a wealthy young easterner in the west, wanders into a gambling hall and becomes entangled in the meshes of one "Bull" Dawson, owner of the place and a notorious bad man. Billy, however, proves a hard victim to handle, and a ...See moreBilly Rand, a wealthy young easterner in the west, wanders into a gambling hall and becomes entangled in the meshes of one "Bull" Dawson, owner of the place and a notorious bad man. Billy, however, proves a hard victim to handle, and a fight results, during which Pepita, Bull's girl, comes to Billy's aid and smuggles him safely out of the room. Bull and his gang pursue Billy, but a passing freight train proves his salvation. Bull returns to the dive and blames Pepita for betraying him. He casts her off, and orders her to leave him at once. Two years later, Bull has reaped a rich harvest and sells out his place. He leaves for the east with a forged letter of introduction to a prominent financier, in the hopes of interesting him in some mining schemes. The capitalist, Robert Dale, is the father of Dick Dale, Billy's classmate and chum, and of Helen Dale, Billy's sweetheart. Billy recognizes Bull when he calls on Dale, and warns Dick against him. Bull, in turn, plans to get Dick out of the way, not knowing there is anyone else in the city who knows his identity. Meanwhile Pepita, forced to earn her living, has obtained a position in the city and sees Bull shortly after he has called on Dale. She begs Bull to aid her, but he laughs at her and again casts her off. Bull returns to the Dale home that evening after the family has retired in the hopes of "getting" Dick. Billy, who has been calling, leaves the house just as Bull enters and hears the shot that Bull fires. Billy rushes back into the house in time to find Dick lying dead upon the floor, the telephone and bric-a-brac from the table lying beside him upon the floor. As he kneels over him. Dale, Sr., and Helen enter. Billy is placed in a compromising position and accused of the crime. He is placed under arrest. The next morning, Pepita buys an early edition of the paper and reads of the crime and Billy's arrest. The newspaper story clears the mystery of the night before to her. She hastens to the Dale home and convinces Dale and Helen that she can clear Billy and returns with them to the police court, where the case is to be brought to trial. There she tells her story. The picture fades back into the night before. Pepita, seated at her desk at the switchboard, hears a call; the phone has fallen from the library table at the Dale home. She listens but receives no answer for a moment, then she hears a voice accuse Bull Dawson of the crime. Her evidence exonerates Billy. Dale, in appreciation of Pepita's testimony, offers her a home with them. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Director
Donald MacDonald
Writer
Anthony Coldeway (scenario)
See all filmmakers & crew (2)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Feb 28, 1915
Release date
Feb 1915 (United States)

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4 cast members
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