The Superior Claim's primary photo
  • The Superior Claim (1915)
  • Short | Short, Western
Primary photo for The Superior Claim
The Superior Claim (1915)
Short | Short, Western
In the town of Silvertown, Martin Stavnow owns the busiest saloon. Grace Wendel and her father, too, live in the same town. It has long been Stavnow's earnest desire to win the girl although he is very much older than she. Grace has ...See moreIn the town of Silvertown, Martin Stavnow owns the busiest saloon. Grace Wendel and her father, too, live in the same town. It has long been Stavnow's earnest desire to win the girl although he is very much older than she. Grace has tolerated the man because she did not care for a scene and Stavnow accordingly become much encouraged by her attitude. On the death of his mother, Paul Winston is left without a single known relative and he travels west to forget his grief. The train is delayed by a landslide, and on being informed that it will be there some time, Winston gets out and walks around. The town is Silvertown. Grace has come to the store for supplies and on coming out drops a sack of nuts. Winston sees this and goes to her assistance, putting the nuts in his hat. The girl is very appreciative and he offers to accompany her home as she has nothing else to carry the nuts in. She agrees and they become acquainted. The courtesy of the girl and her father appeals to the boy. He becomes so engrossed that he misses his train and decides that he will remain for a stay at the place. Stavnow sees the boy and Grace together frequently, and his jealousy is aroused. Calling upon Wendel, he asks for the girl's hand, but after quite a scene the father tells him that this momentous question must be left to the girl's judgment. Stavnow leaves and going to his rooms, he rummages through his things and comes across a picture of his wife which brings memories of his past. Unsuccessful in his attempts to frighten Winston away, Stavnow evolves a desperate plan. Winston has frequently been indulging in the card games in the saloon and Stavnow manages to slip, unnoticed, two cards in the Easterner's Pocket. Later he accuses Winston of cheating. When Winston is searched the two cards are found on him and he is taken out to the edge of the desert. Grace worries over Winston's absence and decides to investigate. Stavnow is congratulating himself in the saloon over the safe riddance of his rival, when he notices the barkeeper pick up something on the floor and gaze at it. He finds it a picture exactly like his own of his long-lost wife, and the man tells him he found it where the Easterner sat. Slowly Stavnow realizes the significance of the picture in the boy's hands and hurriedly sets out to rescue him. Winston is meanwhile wandering erratically in the desert. A sandstorm comes up and he is buried. Stavnow has arrived in the desert and falls a victim to the storm when he loses his horse. When the air clears somewhat, Stavnow finds Winston and rescues him. Meanwhile the cowboys have set out to locate Stavnow, as the barkeeper has told of his hasty departure. Winston revives and Stavnow demands an explanation of the picture which he had dropped. The boy simply says it is his mother. Stavnow breaks down and tells how many years before he had happily married and because of his thirst for drink, had become estranged from his wife. The two are rescued in the nick of time by the relief crowd and taken back. Grace welcomes Winston back with open arms, but her attitude cools when she sees Stavnow. Finally things are satisfactorily explained and the son having a "superior claim," the story ends, the two fathers blessing the union of their children. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Joseph Franz (as Joseph J. Franz)
Writer
Bennett Cohen (story and scenario) (as Ben Cohn)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Oct 30, 1915
Release date
Oct 30, 1915 (United States)

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