SAVED BY A SHOT

1912, Denmark

Aka… Et Skud i rette Tid / ‘A Shot at the Right Time’ (Coph)

Ex… Saved by a Shot (UK)

T: 820 ft (UK) 

D: [?]

Pc: Nordisk Film Kompagni (Oslo)

Dist: Nordisk Film Kompagni (Oslo), Nordisk (06/15/12, UK)

C: [?]

Syn: Mexico [?] Aztecs [?]. Ned Seeman and a party arrive at the abode of the Snake King. They strike a bargain with the latter to give them a demonstration of the art of capturing snakes alive. Ned and the Snake King’s daughter become interested in each other. The party reaches a spot where a huge snake is curled round the branch of a tree. The Snake King, grasping the reptile by the throat and failing, soon has him safely in the sack his son is carrying. Several more are captured, and the party return to the Snake King’s house. As the party are taking their places on the coach, Ned engages the Snake King’s daughter in conversation and gives her the flower he is wearing. A Mexican, who is in love with the girl, stands angrily watching the scene. The coach drives off, and the girl stands waving a fond farewell to Ned. The Mexican, roughly seizing the girl’s arm, demands an explanation. She laughs at him, but he snatches from her the flower Ned had given her and flings it to the ground. As the Mexican draws his knife, the girl’s brother intervenes and sends the Mexican about his business. The brother tracks the Mexican. The Mexican decides on a desperate plan, and, coming upon a snake, he causes the reptile to emit its venom into a small bottle he has with him. The girl's brother sees his action. Ned Seeman arrives at the Snake King’s and is left with the daughter. She proceeds to get wine, and just as Ned has poured out a glass for himself and one for her, the Mexican comes in. A glass is filled for him. While Ned and the girl have their heads momentarily turned, he empties the snake’s venom into Ned's glass. His action has been seen by the girl’s brother, who fires into the room. This startles them, and the glasses crash to the ground. The Mexican floors Ned, and, picking up a chair, smashes the window in an attempt to escape. But he is caught and led away. Matters are explained by the brother, and Ned and the girl are joined together in happiness by the Snake King. 

     Bioscope ran the synopsis June 6 1912 (UK).

 

Submitted by Michael Ferguson