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Tools of Providence
Also known as Dakota Dan in Denmark; Every Inch a Man in the USA : [The Struggle in the Steeple]
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by William S. Hart
Cast: William S. Hart [?] [Dakota Dan or Steve Blake]?, Rhea Mitchell [Daisy Austin], Walter Whitman (Walt Whitman) [Reverend Austin], Frank Borzage [Andy Turner], [?] Edgar Kennedy?
New York Motion Picture Corporation production; distributed by Mutual Film Corporation [Broncho]. / Scenario by [?] Richard V. Spencer and Thomas H. Ince or C. Gardner Sullivan?, from a screen story by Thomas H. Ince. / Released 7 July 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was released in Denmark as Dakota Dan on 25 March 1925.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Dakota Dan, who runs the saloon and gambling hall, is refusing to take another drink with the boys, who commence to kid him, saying he’s been scared to drink ever since he heard the new parson’s daughter was going to convert him. Dakota flushes and replies half angrily that he has never seen the parson’s girl and don’t ever want to. However that afternoon Daisy goes to the saloon and invites Dakota to attend church. Dakota refuses her invitation. Daisy tells him she will make a bargain with him to tend his bar for five minutes if he will go to church the next day. Dakota is slightly startled, but he admires her grit and accepts the challenge. Daisy goes behind the bar. The men line up and she is about to serve a fresh guy when he suddenly reaches over and kisses her. Dakota immediately knocks him “cold,” and, ashamed of his bargain with Daisy, grimly escorts her to the door. The next day he tells the men that if they don’t accompany him to church he will close. They reluctantly consent to go with him. Daisy’s father is very much pleased to see the harvest he is reaping, and after the service invites Dakota to take dinner with them. Dakota and Daisy soon learn to love each other and Daisy promises to marry him if he will close his saloon and try to control his temper. He promises. The following day “Ace” Farrell, an eastern gambler, favors the village with his presence and on seeing Daisy inquires who she is. The villagers tell him her history. “Ace” goes to the saloon and there makes insulting remarks about Daisy. Dakota deals him a stinging slap across the face. “Ace” is right back at him and a fierce scrap commences. Dakota throws “Ace” out of the door and “Ace” draws his gun and shoots. Dakota fires two shots and hits “Ace” in the arm near the shoulder. He crumples up on the sidewalk. Daisy comes along and, without giving Dakota a chance to explain, helps “Ace” to his feet and takes him to her father’s house, where she nurses him back to health. Dakota determines to leave the country. He is riding away when he sees “Ace” and Daisy, who have been gathering flowers for the church. They go into the church. Dakota hears Daisy scream and follows them in. “Ace” attempts to kiss Daisy and she runs up to the bell loft. Dakota shoots “Ace” and he and Daisy make up their quarrel.
Survival status: Print exists in the Newhall/William S. Hart film collection; also [16mm reduction positive].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 16 April 2020.
References: Koszarski-Hart p. 25 : ClasIm-220 p. 40 : Website-IMDb.
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