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Photograph: Silent Era image collection.
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Iona, the White Squaw
(1909) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 1000 feet
Directed by Fred J. Balshofer
Cast: [?] Red Wing? [Iona]
New York Motion Picture Company production; distributed by New York Motion Picture Company [?] through Empire Film Company? [Bison Films]. / Cinematography by Fred J. Balshofer. / Released 22 October 1909. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? A small child, not yet worldly wise enough to join in the wild rush made by the men and women of the mining settlement to inspect a gold nugget found by one, is carried off by an Indian. The women upon returning to their duties, and discovering what has happened, give the alarm, and the men go in pursuit, but are unsuccessful in finding the little girl. The Indian rides into his camp with the child and tells of her capture. A young girl befriends her and taking her into a tepee, dresses her as an Indian, to the delight of all. The proprietor of a western inn reads that a large reward is offered for the return of a girl stolen by Indians fifteen years ago. He and his friends are discussing the matter, when a stage coach pulls up to the tavern and a young man alights. He makes known he is the brother of the missing child, and tells the story of her disappearance. One cowboy leaves the party, and when an Indian boy rides up he asks him about the little girl. He will reveal nothing but after he is presented with liquor, tells that the child is at his camp. The cowboy returns with the Indian and is shown welcome by all. He sees Iona, the white girl, and succeeds in speaking with her, arranging for her escape. They mount a horse and ride to the tavern. The cowboy gets the reward from the girl’s brother for her recovery. The Indian boy comes into the inn, but is prevented from doing harm by Iona’s rescuer. He finally leaves the place and Iona with her brother and another get into the stage coach and start away. The Indians, who have been warned by the boy of events, overtake the coach and recapture Iona. They return to their camp, and pull down the tepees and pack preparatory to moving. The driver of the coach returns to the tavern, tells of the mishaps, and the cowboys go in search of Iona. They reach the Indian camp, and finding it deserted, go further on. The Indians are overtaken and a fight ensues. The chief is about to end Iona’s life, but a cowboy lassoes him, and the girl is rescued. From the opening scene to the finale, this picture is one of lively interest. The portrayal of Indian life is remarkable for its truth.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 30 April 2023.
References: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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