Ranson's Folly (1915)

Duration: 4rlmin

Category: Drama, Western

Cast: Edward Earle, Richard Ridgely

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There was "star power" aplenty in this first screen version of Richard Harding Davis' Ranson's Folly. The popular Edward Earle headed the cast as Lt. Ranson, a Cavalry officer who, on a dare, turns stagecoach outlaw for a day. To cover his tracks,... more

There was "star power" aplenty in this first screen version of Richard Harding Davis' Ranson's Folly. The popular Edward Earle headed the cast as Lt. Ranson, a Cavalry officer who, on a dare, turns stagecoach outlaw for a day. To cover his tracks, Ranson uses the modus operandi of the notorious bandit known only as "The Red Rider." Little does he suspect that the real Red Rider is local innkeeper Patrick Cahill (Marc McDermott) -- who happens to be the father of Ranson's girl friend Mary (Mabel Trunnelle). Later on, circumstantial evidence suggests that Ranson and the Red Rider are one in the same, earning him an arrest and possible execution. The real Red Rider saves the day by committing suicide, but not before leaving behind a note in which he reveals his secret identity, thereby exonerating Ranson and leaving him free to wed sweet Mary. An even better version of Ranson's Folly was filmed eleven years later, with Richard Barthelmess as the title character. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide less