The Toll Gate

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The Toll Gate
Toll-Gate-1920-LC.jpg
Lobby card featuring Anna Q. Nilsson and William S. Hart
Directed by Lambert Hillyer
Screenplay by William S. Hart
Lambert Hillyer
Produced byWilliam S. Hart
StarringWilliam S. Hart
Anna Q. Nilsson
Joseph Singleton
Jack Richardson
Richard Headrick
Cinematography Joseph H. August
Edited by LeRoy Stone
Production
company
William S. Hart Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date
  • April 15, 1920 (1920-04-15)
Running time
73 minutes
CountryUnited States
Languages Silent
English intertitles

The Toll Gate is a 1920 American silent Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer, written by Lambert Hillyer and William S. Hart, and starring William S. Hart, Anna Q. Nilsson, Joseph Singleton, Jack Richardson, and Richard Headrick. It was released on April 15, 1920, by Paramount Pictures. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

As described in a film magazine, [3] bandit leader Black Deering (Hart) leads his band on what he declares to be their last raid only to be captured when Tom Jordan (Singleton), one of the members, betrays him to the authorities. Deering escapes and attempts to reach the Mexican border. However, hunger forces him to enter a western town. Here he meets Jordan, whose opposition results in a burning of the town and Deering's escape and pursuit by a posse. He takes shelter in the home of Mary Brown (Nilsson), a widow who lives in a lonely cabin with her little son (Headrick). She willingly poses as Deering's wife, but the Sheriff (Richardson) is not convinced and asks permission to house his men in the cabin for the night. This brings about the situation where Deering, on his honor, must reveal his identity. News comes of a threatened attack by Jordan on members of the posse, and Deering requests the opportunity to die fighting and is given it. During the fight Deering kills Jordan, who is Mary Brown's missing husband. The Sheriff grants Deering his freedom.

Cast

Preservation

William S. Hart and Jack Richardson in The Toll Gate Toll-Gate-1920-LC-2.jpg
William S. Hart and Jack Richardson in The Toll Gate

Copies of The Toll Gate are in the Library of Congress, Museum of Modern Art film archive, and the George Eastman House Motion Picture Collection. [4] The film has also been released on DVD.

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References

  1. Hans J. Wollstein (2015). "The-Toll-Gate - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  2. "The Toll Gate". afi.com. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  3. "Reviews: The Toll Gate". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 10 (20): 69. May 15, 1920.
  4. Progressive Silent Film List: The Toll Gate at silentera.com