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 | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | James Kirkwood Sr. |
| Written by | Mary Rider (story) Frank E. Woods (scenario) |
| Starring | Henry B. Walthall Irene Hunt Dorothy Gish |
Production company | Biograph Company |
| Distributed by | Mutual Film |
Release date | May 1914 (USA) |
Running time | 4 reels |
After an argument, Douglas Williams' fiancee, 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 fiancee come looking for him and he's forced to choose.[3][4]