The North Wind's Malice
Cast & Crew
Carl Harbaugh
Tom Santschi
Jane Thomas
Joe King
Henry West
William H. Strauss
Film Details
Synopsis
When Lois Folsom's continual complaints about her husband Roger's sloppiness finally drive him out of the house, Lois seeks solace in the company of their friend, Henry Carter. Roger's brother Tom, angry at Lois because of her interference in his courtship of Dorothy Halstead, the ward of Jewish storekeeper Abe Guth, informs his brother that Lois has kissed Carter. This knowledge propels him to accept Jack Harkness' invitation to join in a gold mining expedition of Arctic City in Alaska. Unaware that his wife is pregnant, Roger leaves, and Lois, who is now desperate, accepts Carter's care. In the meantime, the Guth's store is destroyed by fire and Tom sustains the family by stealing food, but is jailed for his efforts. After Lois' baby is born, Carter ventures North to inform Roger. After an initial confrontation between the two men, Roger returns to his wife and frees Tom from jail. Tom, realizing the damage that his lies have caused, confesses his deceit and wins Dorothy's heart.
Cast
Tom Santschi
Jane Thomas
Joe King
Henry West
William H. Strauss
Walter Abel
Vera Gordon
Edna Murphy
Dorothy Wheeler
Julia Stewart
Crew
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Some scenes in this film were shot at Port Henry, NY, on the shore of Lake Champlain, and in Pittsburgh, PA. Two Curtiss airplanes, piloted by Charles Tatem and William Kelly, were used at Port Henry to blow the snow used in the blizzard scenes. One contemporary source lists Roy Vaughan as Edward Vaughan. The film had its premiere in Detroit the week of August 8, 1920. Reviewers praised the performances of Vera Gordon and William H. Strauss as the Jewish storekeeper and his wife. Wid's stated, "they practically walk away with the picture and the audience is uneasy until they appear again." New York Morning Telegraph noted, "In this merry theatrical and cinema year there is no surer fire ammunition than the introduction of a couple of Jewish characters-sympathetically and humanly presented. Vera Gordon and William H. Strauss give the outstanding performances in The North Wind's Malice. A touch of our own New York throws into obscurity all the virile, red-blooded heroes of the North." According to some reviews, the Jewish couple also go to Alaska and find gold, but their claim is disputed by Harkness. At the end, however, their rights are secured. The mine turns out to be worth a fortune, and Roger is saved from starvation, along with his wife and daughter, because of the mine.
